Accra, June 13, GNA- The Ghana Mines Workers Union (GMWU) of the

Trades Union Congress, at the weekend supported a call by former President Jerry John Rawlings for the review of all agreements between Ghana and trans-national companies. The GMWU is therefore requesting a national debate on the issue. Mr Prince Ankrah, National Secretary of the GMWU, told the Ghana News Agency that Flight Lieutenant Rawlings made the call at a rally at Kasoa in the Central Region, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the June 4 Revolution.

He said Flt. Lt. Rawlings expressed concern that payment of the benefits that accrue to Ghana under theses agreements had unduly delayed.

Mr Ankrah said a national debate would decide the road map to tackle the problem to ensure national growth. He said a review of mining agreements for instance would determine whether the royalties the companies operating in the sector paid to the State were enough to cater for the needs of communities affected by their activities. "Any review must take into consideration infrastructure deficit so that we can earmark development projects that would change the fortunes of these communities."

Mr Ankrah observed that Ghana ought to feel the impact of mineral wealth as in the case of oil-rich Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.