News
We want fair share of our gold – Chief demands
The Divisional Chief of Bosomtwi Traditional Area, Nana Kwabena Amponsah 1V,has lamented the state of roads in mining enclaves in the Western Region including his jurisdiction,saying” it’s a sad commentary on our development.”
He continued :”We want our share of the gold. We are in a gold enclave where gold has been mined for centuries but we don’t even see it.Huni Valley -Tarkwa road used to have manholes and it was terrible travelling on it .The state of roads in Western Region are just worrying.
“It’s sad.There is no interchange in Western Region. Not even at Takoradi.Gold mining in other countries like South Africa has become a reference point. But,when you come to this country, from Tarkwa,Aboso to Huni Valley, it’s a pathetic.Even to ask for our share, where do you go to ask questions?.”
Nana Amponsah made the lamentations when the Mining Sector Roads Rehabilitation Secretariat met him at the Bosomtwe Divisional Area palace to discuss their mandates and the rehabilitation of Huni Valley roads as part of the agenda to transform mining enclaves in Ghana.
He said, before the rehabilitation of the 33 km Tarkwa -Damang road- trekking to Tarkwa or Takorafi was a drudgery.
Today, he said, the journey to Tarkwa, which used to cover two hours, has been cut to about 30 minutes.
The Bosomtwe Chief told the delegation that due to poor road access in Huni Valley corridors, travelling to Accra through Praso, a short distance, was a difficulty, and so, commuters detoured through Tarkwa, Takoradi and Cape Coast.
Nana Amponsah pledged to support the secretariat in performing its mandate to transform roads in Bosomtewe (Huni Valley).
“We ” will help you to meet your mandate.If the communities become beautiful, we shall all share the glory.” he added.
He, however,suggested that the coverage of the Huni Valley project should be extended from 4km to 7.5 km,arguing that the mining community was growing each day.
The Gyaasehene of Bosomtwe, Nana Kwesi Assaah, also complained about shoddy works by some contractors over the years and appealed to the secretariat to ensure the execution of good quality road project in the area.
“We need roads with a longer lifes pan. Do your work with integrity, transparency,truth and the fear of God. Sacrifice and posterity will judge you. Let the truth prevail all the time.” he told the delegation.
The Coordinator at the Mining Roads Sector Rehabilitation Secretariat,Mr Frank Felix E. Awah, explained that the team would coordinate,supervise and implement the road projects in the mining communities.
He added that government would provide part of the funds for the project while the mining companies would also support, but stressed that “We are going to work together as stakeholders to ensure success of the projects.”
He again, said that the Technical Advisor,Dr. Francis Acheampong, also a board chairman of Ghana Highways Authority, would ensure good quality road projects.
Dr.Acheampong, on his part, said “Good quality work is important.We want to ensure that we do good roads with a longer lifespan. not those after six months, develop manholes and the road is destroyed.”
Legal Advisor, Alhaji Farouk Seidu,assured of a necessary legal framework to ensure that even if a new government assumed office, the projects in the mining enclaves would not stall.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Huni Valley
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
