World University Service of Canada organises workshop on EITI

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) project, is a conscious poverty reduction mechanism which aims at improving transparency in the receipt and payment of revenue from the country’s extractive industry.

Dr Augustine Tawiah, A steering committee member of Civil Society Platform, an NGO, who stated this at Bibiani in the Western Region, said the initiative supports countries rich in natural and mineral resources to strengthen governance in the sector.

He was addressing chiefs, assembly members and opinion leaders at a two-day training workshop on the EITI, organised by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in collaboration with Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Assembly (BABDA).

Dr Tawiah said EITI publishes the full verification of the payment of companies and government receipts from the mining, oil and gas sector.

He said in 2003, Ghana signed the initiative and has since been implementing activities to enhance transparency in the sector.

He said, one key requirement of EITI is the regular publication of all material, oil, gas and mining payments by companies to governments.

Dr Samuel Famiyeh, Senior Lecturer of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, appealed to mining companies to train local people to acquire skills that would enable them obtain employment in the extractive industry.

He also advised mining companies to provide social amenities to the communities they operate in.

Dr Famiyeh noted that if the use of natural resource wealth is not managed properly, it could create negative economic and social impact.

Mr. Kwaku Karikari Amoah, WUSC/BABD Project Coordinator, urged the government to ensure that civil society is fully independent, active and effectively engaged in the revenue utilisation process.

Topics treated include overview of mineral exploration, development and operations, local content and corporate social responsibility issues in the mining sector and the concept of EITI.

Other topics are principles and benefits of EITI and the validation process, country implementation and status and compliance requirements, validation and rules.**