The Ghana Chamber of Mines has called on the government to review the country’s mineral royalty framework and increase the share allocated to mining host communities from 8% to 30%.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Engineer Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, made the call during the Inter-Mine First Aid and Safety Competition held at Kenyasi in the Ahafo Region.
According to Dr Ashigbey, the current 8% allocation is inadequate to support meaningful development in communities where mining activities take place.
He argued that mining communities continue to face significant developmental challenges despite the substantial revenue government generates from mining companies through taxes and other payments.
Dr Ashigbey said it was unfair for government to use revenue generated from mining activities to finance development in other parts of the country while communities hosting mining operations struggle to secure basic infrastructure and services.
“It is time for government to review the mineral royalty framework for host communities from 8% to 30% to help improve development for the people,” he said.
He expressed concern about the conditions of some mining host communities across the country, saying many continue to lack the level of development expected from areas that contribute significantly to the national economy through mineral resources.
The Chamber of Mines CEO therefore appealed to traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), religious leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to support the campaign for an increase in the royalty allocation.
He urged the various stakeholders to join efforts to engage and put pressure on government to review the framework and increase the allocation to 30 percent.
Dr Ashigbey said such a move would provide host communities with additional resources to accelerate development and improve living conditions for residents.
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