Baba Jamal mobbed at Akwatia

By Justice Lee Adoboe

One person who might personally reap political benefits from the revamping of the diamond mines in Akwatia is Deputy Minister of Information, Ahmed Baba Jamal.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Great Consolidated Diamond Company Ghana Ltd, (GCDGL) Vice President, John Dramani Mahama commended the deputy minister for his tenacity in pursuing the agenda till finally a buyer was found for the diamond concession.

“Baba Jamal kept coming to my office every week to discuss the issue with me and helping to find an investor to invest in the beleaguered company,” In a brief speech the deputy information minister who had earlier served as deputy Eastern regional minister and gave thanks to God for hearing the prayer of the people of Akwatia.

“This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in him,” he chanted on the platform.

Placard bearing women, mostly supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) chanted in Twi, “Baba, yen nye wo den, woye buei” , while others mimicked the NPP slogan “Agbenaaa” to wit the 2012 election was under wrap.

Another feat that endeared Baba Jamal to the people was his announcement that government had taken a decision to create a new district for Akwatia.

Vice President confirmed this when he said government had recommended to Parliament to create a new district out of the Kwabiberim district in the Eastern Region. He said the new Assembly, with Akwatia as its capital, would be called “The Denkyebuo” (Diamond) district.

He said it would help create opportunities for the development of the diamond-rich area.Mr.Mahama said the creation of a district and revival of the Diamonds Company would reinvigorate commercial activities and transform the area into an economically viable district in the years to come.

He commended the company for including small scale miners into the operational plans, adding that, such a move could reduce the high level of environmental degradation and pollution created by their activities in the past.

The Vice President also announced that government had earmarked the re-surfacing of the Suhum-Asamankese, Adogyiri-Asamankese and the new Abirem roads to open up the areas to commercial activities and help in the carting of foodstuff from the producing to marketing centres.

Eastern Regional Minister, Kwesi Akyem Apea-Kubi, pleaded with the Management of the new company to absorb old workers, who were still capable of performing, since they could capitalise on their vast experience.

He encouraged them to adhere to their social responsibilities towards communities that fall within their operational area by supporting them to achieve their development goals. Dr. Apea-Kubi also called for cooperation between the company and other stakeholders to ensure a mutual benefit to all parties in the industry. Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Henry Ford Kamel, called on all mining companies in the country to enforce the mining guidelines in order to avoid the development leakages that were recorded in the past.

He said government was currently working out a development plan with Precious Minerals Commission to set up a diamond cutting and polishing plant in the area for both domestic and international markets.

Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who chaired the function, called for a cordial working relationship between the management and staff for the development to the entire region.

He was grateful to government for finally getting an investor, more-so a local investor to take over operations of the diamond company.

He lauded government for the proposed resurfacing of roads in the region, but called for attention on all Eastern regional roads which he described as the worst in the whole country.

Hajia Zainab Abune, 46 and mother of two, had worked with the company for 20 years before it collapsed in 2007.

She found it difficult making ends meet during the period, the company had been dormant. “I could not pay school fees for my children, and sometimes, we went hungry,” she told The Lead in an interview.

She as happy that a new investor had come to save them from their plight, saying her entitlements had already been paid to her.

She called for God’s blessings for GCDGL saying they will make proft and recoup all that they have been spending on us.

Another ‘former’ worker, Joseph Kwasi Boahene, 55, is married to two wives aand has 11 children.

According to him, two of his children were in senior high school in 2007 when the company closed down. “Since then I struggled to pay their fees.

According to him, the older of the two whose registration fee he was barely able to pay to write the West African Senior Secondary School exams, could not continue with his education, although he had passed well.”I could not raise the money to send him to school, but now that my benefits have been paid to me, I have plans to send him back to school,” he added.