Boadua(ER), Nov.5, GNA - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Presidential Candidate of New Patriotic Party (NPP), has assured small scale miners that the next NPP Government would provide better deal for small scale miners in the country.

He said government would allocate part of mining concessions to them to earn decent living. Nana Akufo-Addo gave the assurance when addressing an NPP rally at Boadua in Akwatia Constituency during a tour of the Eastern Region. He said a "new chapter" would be opened in the mining industry where "small scale miners" would be dignified to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Nana Akufo-Addo promised the people of Akwatia that operations of the abandoned Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) would be re-activated. He pointed out that the company, which undertook mining for diamonds since 1924, was temporarily shut down last year as a result of under capitalization, obsolete plant and machinery. Nana Akufo-Addo said a new investor would soon take over its operations and assured the redundant workers that their end of service benefits would be paid to them.

He said the company was dear to his heart since the first agreement with the mother company, Consolidated African Selection Trust (CAST) was signed by his grand father, Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I, Okyehene. Addressing similar rallies at Kade and Asuom in the Kade Constituency, Nana Akufo-Addo said there was no way Ghana would march backwards, and urged the electorate to support the NPP to move the nation forward.

He reiterated that never again would Ghanaians entrust their destiny into the hands of an incompetent and non-performing people. Nana Akufo-Addo said the oil revenue would be used to improve education, health, infrastructure and all aspects of national life.

"God has blessed Ghana with oil and his administration would ensure the revenue is utilised for the benefit of all Ghanaians and not a few." 05 Nov. 08