The Paramount Chief, Western Nzema Traditional Area in the Western Region, Awulae Annor Adjaye III has expressed disappointment over the poor governance systems in the mining sector over the years.
According to him, instead of benefiting the country as was the case in many countries, the citizens do not even have an idea on how the the resource and its revenues is being utilized.
Awulae Annor Adjaye III made the comments at the opening ceremony of the 2017 summer school on oil and gas organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute in collaboration with GIZ.
Citing the mining sector, he said after mining gold and other minerals for years, the country had nothing to show for it and the host communities were rather worse off now.
“It is sad that the development we want in the country cannot be seen because of corruption ,lack of transparency in the fiscal regime all over Africa,” he lamented
He said laws are made but hardly implemented a situation which is really worrying and something needs to be done about it .
“We make laws and we don’t implement them. We don’t even have in individuals to track how our revenues are used,” he said.
He said instead of the country seeing improved and sustainable benefits from the extractive sector, communities were worse off and no value was been added to the commodities been produced.
According Awulae’ the current governance system was not in the best interest of the nation hence the need to sure measures are put in place for the betterment of the sector .
Citing the mining sector, he said after mining gold and other minerals for years, the country had nothing to show for it and the host communities were rather worse off now.
“We have a structure in place that is not working in our favour. We have to look at the structure and modernize it.”
“Government has to figure out what really impact the lives of the people and the well-being of the environment as well,” he recommended.
He also urged citizens to hold managers of the natural resource accountable else they risk been deceived as has always been the case.
“Shine your eyes. Otherwise they will throw dust in your eyes because you are dealing with a system that has been transferred to us by people who came to Africa to cheat us,” he said.
Started in 2009, the annual summer school organized by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) in collaboration with the German Development Corporation (GIZ) to train people across Africa on governance issues in the sector.
The Country Programs Manager for NRGI, Nafi Chinery was happy about an increase in the enrolment of women participation in the 2017 in a bid to include their views in the natural resource discussion and have encouraged more women to take advantage of these programs anytime the opportunity comes participating this time.
“I am very happy that more women participating this and I encourage more women especially the young ones to take advantage of these programs and broaden their knowledge “ she said
There were women and 22 men drawn from civil society organizations, media and other stakeholders in the extractive sector from 13 African countries
