TARKWA NSUAEM : Communities demand information from stool lands

Communities living along the catchment communities of mining companies have appealed to the administrator of stool lands to publish funds released to the district assemblies from the Mineral Development Fund (MDF).

They said the lack of information about such releases makes it difficult to demand accountability from the district and municipal assemblies.

The communities made the request at a public forum organised by the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) at Tarkwa in the Western Region.

The over 22 communities who were represented said the lack of information about such releases to the assemblies gave the assemblies the upper hand to use the funds for other projects that benefitted other areas while the catchment communities continue to lack infrastructural projects that could transform their lives.

The GHEITI Coordinator, Mr. Franlin Ashiadey said the country as well as the assemblies could win more investors to transform their respective communities.

He said GHEITI was planning to establish a secretariat at Tarkwa, Obuasi and Sunyani, to assist in ensuring transparency, accountability and promotion of rural development.

Mr. Ashaidey said GHIETI would extend its monitoring to the Oil and Gas sectors as well and will continue to organise workshops to explain the findings and publication of GHIETI reports.

GNA
AA