GMWU Commends President Mills on mining issues

Accra, April 25, GNA.- The Ghana Mines workers Union (GMWU) of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has commended President Evans Atta Mills for the bold action taken to prevail upon Anglogold Ashanti to address the degradation of communities affected by mining operations. GMWU said it supports the Presidents' assertion because it was of national interest that multinationals use part of their profits to alleviate people in whose areas mining prospecting goes on from poverty and disease.

The President made the charge when a delegation from the company led by its Chief Executive, Mr Mark Cutifani (rpt Citifani) called on the President at the Castle on Thursday "We therefore express our readiness to team up with government and other civil society groups to enter into constructive engagement with the Ghana Chamber of Mines to draw road map towards sustainable development in the communities".

Making the commendation through the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday, Mr. Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the GMWU, said the President's observation was not only timely, but marked the love he had for Ghanaians.

Mr Ankrah said there was the need for a massive infrastructure development in the commu nities, adding that after years of mining the communities have been left to their fate and that situation must be reversed to compensate to infrastructural deficit. He said large tracts of land could not be used for farming and environment degraded because of mining activities. Mr Ankrah said the union is looking forward to Anglogold's positive response to the President's suggestion. 25 April 09