Obuasi, Nov. 10, GNA - Alhaji Lateef Majduoub, Adansi North District Chief Executive (DCE), has expressed worry about the state of development at Obuasi and the entire Adansi state after over 100 years of active gold mining.

He also questioned what had been done with the mineral royalties paid over the years to the state "as the communities are still crying for development."

The DCE was making a contribution at a day's workshop on "Accelerating Development through Sustainable Mining (AD-SUM)" organized by the Social Support Fund (SSF), an Obuasi based Non Governmental Organization. He regretted that the communities were not benefiting from the mining operations as talented goldsmiths were left jobless because there was no way they could have access to raw materials.

Alhaji Majduob therefore urged the participants, drawn from Obuasi Municipal, Adansi North and Amansie Central, to fight for their rights so that they could derive some benefits from the mining operations. Mr Louis Acheampong, Executive Director of SSF, explained that the goal of the AD-SUM project was to contribute towards enhancing equitable access, accountability and transparency in natural resources and environmental governance in the country.

He said reducing social conflicts in mining communities through the promotion of efficient corporate social responsibility and constructive engagement processes with decision makers constituted one of the objectives of the project.

Mr Acheampong said the results would be increased participation of communities and marginalized persons in decision-making processes in the natural resources and environmental governance as well as ensuring well coordinated small-scale mining operations. Mr Malik Bin Ibrahim, a Resource Person, who took participants through Natural and Environmental Governance, called on the media to help bring out all environmental issues associated with mining. Nana Owusu Akyaw Brempong, Bogobri Odikro, who chaired the programme, commended SSF for coming out with activities to support the vulnerable in the society.