There appears to be an increased awareness about the utilization of mineral revenue by the Asutifi North District Assembly among residents of the area.
This follows a one-year project being implemented in the district by a non-profit-making organization, Livelihood for Environment Ghana (LEG).
In partnership with STAR-Ghana, LEG has since August 2024 been rolling out a project aimed at empowering mining communities in Ghana to influence the utilization of mineral revenue.
Objectives
The core objectives of the project are to promote transparency and accountability in the use of the Mineral Revenue Fund (MDF), empower community volunteers to advocate for sustainable development and sensitize communities on the utilization of mineral resources by the Asutifi North District Assembly.
As part of the project, community volunteers were recruited and trained while a baseline survey on the utilization of Mineral Development Fund by the Assembly was conducted.
Also, there were field visits to areas where MDF funded projects are located while community members were educated and sensitized on the utilization of mineral revenue.
Through the program, a 15-member volunteer group made up of seven men and eight women, including a PLD.
Another hallmark of the project is the formation of the Ahafo Mineral Revenue Watch Volunteers (AMRWV).
The Programmes Officer of LEG, Miss Peace Japah Nyande, told Rbnewshub.com that even though the Asutifi North District Assembly appears to have undertaken some projects through the MDF, no effort has been made to share information about the projects with the people, hence the perception that nothing has been done with the fund.
In her opinion, the assembly should emboss the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) logo on all projects executed with the fund going forward.
About LEG
LEG is registered as a national research and advocacy not-for-profit and non-governmental organization operating in 46 communities in seven administrative regions of Ghana namely, Bono, Ahafo, Western, Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Western North.
It seeks to promote environmental sustainability, community rights, sustainable livelihood, active citizenship and mineral governance and engages with policy makers, duty bearers and corporate organizations on issues around mineral governance and mineral policies, among others.
Story by Richard Kofi Boahen
Email: (rboahen2018@gmail.com or rbnewsh@gmail.com)
