Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworker’s Union, has called on government to, as a matter of urgency, revamp the Obuasi Mine to provide jobs for the people.
He said the restoration of the Obuasi Mine cannot be delayed further while innocent people needlessly live and die in poverty.
Obuasi Mine was one of the most revered and promising gold deposits in the world.
It provided income to over 5,000 employees and their families, and contributed several millions of dollars to the national kitty.
Prior to its collapse, it was the major economic growth pole for the Obuasi Municipality.
It improved the local economy by providing several direct and indirect jobs and contributed immensely to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings, as well as Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking at the opening session of the Mineworkers’ Union National Executive Council meeting in Accra recently, Mr. William Ankrah expressed dissatisfaction with government for failing to revamp the Obuasi Mine despite numerous calls.
He said Obuasi is gradually becoming a “ghost town” as a result of the collapse of the Mine.
Mr. William Ankrah said government’s role is crucial to salvaging the situation, calling on it to prioritize the revamp of the Obuasi Mine.
The mine, when revamped, will save families and shore up the country’s foreign exchange, grow the economy and restore Obuasi to its lost glory.
Mr. William Ankrah said government must take steps to increase its stake in the Obuasi Mine, particularly in a relatively cheaper commodity regime.
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