Miners want the PSI on the infrastructure

The Ghana Miners' Union (GMWU) is calling for a special presidential initiative (PSI) to accelerate the overall development of mining communities across the country.

The GMWU made the call in its message to miners across the country before May 1st.

Prince William Ankrah, Secretary General of GMWU, said in a statement: "As part of the PSI, the government can urgently conclude a special arrangement to encourage public-private partnership (PPP) to resolve infrastructure problems in mining towns ".

He added that, thanks to this initiative, "the advance payment of royalties can be negotiated with mining companies whose balance sheet is good for this initiative. The mining development fund can also be adapted in this direction. "

President Akufo-Addo spoke at the West Africa Mining and Electricity Conference, which was held in Accra in 2018, and expressed his frustration with the infrastructure challenge in Ghana's mining towns.

According to the GMWU, it was high time that the road networks of the mining communities were rehabilitated or built.

The Union also called for the establishment of other social amenities such as schools, hospitals and portable drinking water.

"By adopting a special initiative of the President, coupled with the necessary political will and just leadership, Ghanaians can be badured of unprecedented infrastructure development and many positive changes in the mining townships".

According to the statement, "Another crucial problem that the GMWU would like the government to take into account in any integrated plan to accelerate socio-economic progress in mining areas is the creation of buffer companies, offering opportunities. alternative jobs to support local economies ".

According to the statement, "It's no secret that if it were not for educational institutions, some mining communities may look like ghost towns."

"Akwatia, which was once an active mining town, was a cash cow for the country, and not what it is today. One can imagine that it would not be a teaching institution such as St. Roses SHS in the city. "

"As a people-centered union, we, the leaders and members of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) in Ghana, have been voicing our concerns over the poor infrastructure in our mining towns for years."

"After more than a century of mining in this country, we can no longer continue to inflict this injustice on our mineral-rich communities, which are a major source of foreign exchange earnings for the country."

— Daily guide