Social sustainability initiative launch at Bibiani

Bibiani (W/R), June 27, GNA - Mrs Rita Tani Iddi, Deputy Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, has urged mining companies to ensure that their programmes to improve host communities fall within the development plans of the district assemblies.

She said this would ensure that the districts develop as an entity and that projects executed would be seen as belonging to the districts and collectively owned.

Speaking at the launch of a Social Sustainability Initiative at Bibiani at the weekend by Alcan Bauxite Company, the district Assembly and SNV of the Netherlands, the Deputy Minister was optimistic that the initiative would be given the needed attention to ensure success. Mrs Iddi urged the SNV to train community members to handle some of the projects to relieve the mining companies from being called to remedy issues.

She called for a collaborative model between mining companies and district assemblies to ensure the needed impact. She commended the mining companies for contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of the communities they operates in and the payment of royalties, corporate tax and dividends. Mr Kwasi Blay, Deputy Western Regional Minister said one of the major problems confronting the operations of urban and area councils is apathy of members of these structures.

He said he was hopeful that the participation of members of the area councils in design, planning and implementation of projects funded by a grant of 300,000 dollars from Alcan would awaken the interest of area council members in the district.

"Positive results from the initiative would go a long way to inform national policy on the re-organisation and operations of urban and area councils in the country", he added.

Mrs Jacynthe Cote, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Bauxite Company said her organization has partnered with SNV and the district assembly to implement a medium term development plan. She said the plan would upgrade and ensure sustainability in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation. Mr Peter Denaan, Country Director of SNV, said his outfit would provide technical and quality advisory services and that his organization is dedicated to poverty reduction and decentralization. Mr Kingsley Adjei-Manu, District Chief Executive for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, said with the support of Alcan and SNV through the Social Sustainability Initiative, the assembly is hopeful of a sustainable development. The DCE said Central African Gold Limited, Chirano Gold Mines Limited and Ghana Bauxite Company in the district have impacted positively in the district's economy in terms of employment and commercial activities. 27 June 07