Government will support Anglogold - Mills

Accra, April 23, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday reiterated Government's confidence in the investor community to assist Ghana's development efforts with an assurance that Government would create the conducive environment for investment development for mutual benefits.

He reiterated Government's determination to create jobs, develop the human resources through investment in people and to develop the necessary infrastructure, with partnership of the investor community to boost the national development drive.

Expressing a strong belief in the investor community, President Mills assured the Anglogold Ashanti mining conglomerate that Government would work "hand in glove" and "arms at length" to address challenges in the mining sector to reap mutual benefits.

President Mills gave the assurance when a delegation from Anglogold Ashanti led by its Chief Executive Mr. Mark Cutifini paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.

President Mills said Government treasured transparency and assured the company that it would be candid in it dealings with it, in directions that would be mutually beneficial.

He expressed the hope that the company would be committed to its venture as Government stuck to its duty to create the confidence and work hand in glove with it.

Mr. Cutifini said Anglogold was privileged to be working in Ghana, with determination to support Government in its vision. He congratulated President Mills on his success at the polls, reiterating the company's readiness to be partners in Ghana's development drive.

Mr Cutifini said Anglogold Ashanti would be committed and connected to Ghana and supportive of Government for long-term business in Ghana. Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands, Forestry and Natural Resources, deplored the imbalance between mineral exploitation and development of infrastructure in the mining town of Obuasi. He called on the company to do well to match the exploitation so that Obuasi would be as beautiful as the mining town of Johannesburg in South Africa. 23 April 09