Regional News of Friday, 8 February 2019
Source: skyypowerfm.com
An MoU to govern the impact of Golden Star Wassa Mines on Mining
Mining communities in the W/R signed an MoU to resolve disputes between the leaders and the youth
Communities as well as a 24 member committee to finalize details was inaugurated on Wednesday at Akyempim.
The crafting of MoU was an outcome of a DISEC meeting in mid-2017 to resolve disagreements between Mining Communities Leaders fires by agitated youth and GSR management over employment opportunities and little to show for 20 years of mining in the Communities.
The MoU covers Employment Management, Community Development and Heritage Fund.
In a brief speech, the MD of GSR Mr Shadrack Adjetey Sowah thanked the DISEC of Wassa East District Assembly for muting this idea and expressed his management commitment to impacting on the mining Community. It was revealed that from 2006 to 2018. a total amount of $2,107,590 has gone into Community Foundation Account. $1,725,473 have been invested in the communities with over $300,000 sitting in the accounts.
Me Adjetey Sowah announced his intent transform one of the Community Schools into a model school by investing resources to establish new standards.
Wilson Arthur, Hon DCE of Wassa East expressed gratitude to GSR and Community Leaders for accepting the MoU solution recommendation he championed and was happy that after the DISEC intervention, more Mining Community youth have been engaged by GSR, and peace has prevailed.
Commenting on the content of the MoU, Wilson Arthur said greater attention should be focused on servicing the Mining economy.
More employment for locals can best be achieved by investing the Heritage Funds in creating non-existent Hospitality Services and other businesses to participate in the supply side of the mining economy.
He revealed that Wassa East Assembly with cooperation from GSR is showing the way by establishing a 1D1F Wassa East Quarry project to add value to a fraction of the 20years pile of mining waste rocks to develop the infrastructure of the communities.
A Consultant hired by GSR is moderating the process to work out the final details of this landmark MoU. The Committee will learn from existing arrangements in other mining districts to establish a model impactful framework.
