Mining communities to benefit from royalties

Minister of Minerals and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini

Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Minister of Minerals and Natural Resources, said government would continue to ensure that mining royalties accruing to district assemblies was used for the development of mining communities.

Government would, therefore, improve the relevant institutions to deal with corruption and ensure transparency in the mining sector, he said.

Alhaji Fuseini was speaking at 40th Anniversary and Speech and Prize-Giving Day of the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School (NASS) at Nkroful in the Ellembelle District.

The week-long celebration is on the theme; “Minerals Discoveries in Nzemaland: Positioning the Youth through Quality Education.”

Alhaji Fuseini said Ghana abounded in rich mineral resources and would be harnessed to create the human capital.

He said the 21st century called for high technology in the extractive industry and asked educational institutions to factor into their curricula mining-related subjects such as Engineering, Computer Technology, and Geographical Sciences.

Alhaji Fuseini said over one million people were engaged in small scale mining and that government would continue to license small scale mining companies to generate employment for the people, especially the youth.

He advised students of Nzemaland to take their studies seriously and prepare themselves towards the emerging opportunities in the area.

Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister of Energy and Petroleum Resources, said it was government's intention for Ghanaians to be partners in the oil companies.

Mr Buah, Member of Parliament for the area and an old boy of the school, said he would continue to support students to take advantage of the oil and gas industry and disclosed that eight students were studying abroad to be employed in the sector.

He said Tullow Oil had approved the establishment of a modern laboratory for the school and pledged GH¢5,000.00 to support the anniversary.

Mr Mark Addo, Vice-President in charge of Sustainability of the Adamus Mineral Resources Ltd., urged the school to liaise with his outfit to run mentorship programmes for students.

He said the discovery of mineral resources did not translate into development except the nation ensured prudent management and allocation of resources.

Madam Esther Armah-Viddah, Headmistress, paid tribute to the founding fathers of the school and said the school had achieved enviable feats in various fields.

She urged parents to take keen interest in the education of their wards.

She said challenges facing the school included inadequate dormitories, lack of assembly hall and computer laboratory and appealed for a fence wall to prevent encroachment on school lands.

NASS was established as the Nyaniba Middle Boarding School in 1961 before it was converted to the Nkroful Agricultural Secondary School in 1972 with Agricultural Science as its main focus.

Awards were given to teaching and non-teaching staff and old students for their dedication to duty and contributions towards the development of the school.