Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has disclosed that, the newly commissioned Mfante Community Mining Scheme at Tepa in the Ahafo-Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region, will create about 2,000 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs for the indigenes.
Mr Mireku Duker, who led government delegation on behalf of sector Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor to commission the laudable project yesterday, December 14, 2021, indicated that, the Mfante Scheme had satisfied the checklist, as outlined by the Small-Scale and Community Mining Operational Manual.
Addressing a Durbar of Chiefs and people of Mfante, the Deputy Lands Minister, explained the Community Mining Scheme concept to the gathering and how government is determined to use it as an alternative livelihood employment module to mitigate illegal mining.
The 50-acre concession is estimated to create some 2,000 and 1,000 of direct and indirect jobs, respectively.
On behalf of government and its commitment to protect our environment through responsible mining, he donated a Mercury-Free Gold Processing Unit worth US$125,000.00 to support the Scheme.
Additionally, he touched on the Minerals Development Unit which according to him, would be launched very soon by government to provide credit facilities for Small-Scale Miners in a bid to eliminate foreign financing in the subsector.
The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP)for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, urged the Management of the Mfante Community Mining Scheme to strictly adhere to sustainable mining practices, avoid involvement of foreign nationals in their operations among others.
On their part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ahafo-Ano North Municipality, Martina Appiah Nyantakyi and Nana Agyeman Badu Duah, Representative of Kunsuhene in a separate speech commended the government for taking such a great step to create jobs in the Municipal.
According to Mr. Mireku Duker, government will continue to establish more of such schemes across the country to create jobs.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied on the trip by Mr. Benjamin Aryee–Advisor on Mines, Mr. Peter Awuah– Technical Director of Mines, Dr John Krugu–Project Coordinator, Ghana Land Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project, Mr. Nelson Ahedor– Director of Small-Scale Mining at Minerals Commission and other officials.
