Solomon Kusi Ampofo, the Project Coordinator of Friends of the Nation (FoN), a socio-environmental advocacy Non-Governmental Organization, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) benefiting from the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) to prioritize investments in the local economy. This, he emphasized, could alleviate poverty by creating job opportunities that generate income for residents in mining communities, enabling them to meet their basic needs.
Speaking at a workshop organized by FoN in collaboration with Oxfam, Mr Ampofo stressed the importance of MMDAs regularly assessing the impact of mining on their communities and utilizing their share of the MDF to address related challenges. The workshop, held in Akyempim and attended by stakeholders from Tarkwa Nsuaem, Prestea Huni-Valley, Wassa Amenfi East, and Ellembelle District and Municipal Assemblies in the Western Region, aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing, identify best practices, challenges, and lessons learned in MDF utilization, and propose strategies for effective management of such funds to influence policy review.
Mr Ampofo outlined criteria for MMDAs to consider when utilizing the MDF, including transparent and participatory processes, gender and social responsiveness, addressing mining impact, effective monitoring, evaluation, and local economic development. While acknowledging progress in transparency and participation, he highlighted gaps in MDF utilization, particularly in addressing mining impacts, gender responsiveness, effective monitoring, and local economic development.
Although MMDAs have initiated social development projects like borehole provision and classroom block construction, Mr Ampofo stressed the need to enhance MDF utilization in areas directly impacted by mining activities. Solomon Kwaku Adje, the District Coordinating Director for Ellembelle Assembly, proposed allocating a portion of the MDF to support vulnerable groups, similar to government support for Persons with Disabilities from the Common Fund.
Elvis Adjei Duah, the Chairperson of the Local Management Committee (LMC) for Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, advocated for continuous education targeting youth, vulnerable groups, women, and community chiefs affected by mining activities to spur development in mining areas.