Kenyasi: Stakeholders in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region have pledged to enhance transparency and accountability in the use of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) in the area. At a policy dialogue and resource allocation meeting held in Kenyasi, the district capital, they emphasized their commitment to providing clear updates on fund receipts and detailed project execution costs.
According to Ghana News Agency, the meeting was organized by Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), an environmentally focused Non-Governmental Organisation, with support from the STAR Ghana Foundation. This initiative is part of phase two of a project titled 'Empowering Mining Host Communities in the Asutifi North District to Influence the Utilisation of Mineral Revenue for Sustainable Development.' The project aims to promote responsible use of mineral revenues for the long-term benefit of the community.
The meeting built on previous district-level social accountability forums and community sensitization campaigns conducted by LEG and the Ahafo Mineral Revenue Watch Volunteers. It aimed to present community feedback to officials responsible for budgetary planning and resource allocation, bridging the gap between community needs and local government decision-making.
Comprising members of the District Assembly's Finance and Administration Committee, the stakeholders stressed the importance of improving direct communication and information sharing with local communities. They also highlighted the need for deeper engagement with community representatives and volunteers in planning and decision-making processes.
Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku, the Executive Director of LEG, explained that although Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa, mining activities continue to pose significant challenges to host communities, including environmental degradation and loss of livelihoods. He emphasized the necessity for responsible resource management to mitigate these long-term impacts.
Mr. Adjei-Poku stated that mineral revenues should be invested in projects promoting long-term socio-economic transformation, such as schools, hospitals, roads, and job creation, rather than recurrent expenditure. He further explained that the second phase of the project aims to ensure that royalties from the MDF are used effectively to support sustainable development.
Mr. Adjei-Poku also highlighted the role of the Ahafo Mineral Revenue Watch Volunteers, a group established in the project's first phase, tasked with engaging stakeholders to ensure equitable and proper utilization of the MDF.
Miss Patricia Agyemang, an Assembly Member at the Asutifi North District Assembly, urged community members to unite in promoting development and accountability, asserting that collective efforts are essential in addressing emerging local concerns. The Assembly acknowledged existing communication gaps and committed to improving transparency, equitable distribution, and execution of development projects in mining communities.