RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL  DEC. 2007

 The National Executive Council of the Ghana Mine Workers’ Union of TUC,

deliberated extensively on important issues relating to the mining industry, communities

within which mining companies operate and other specific issues relating to Health and

Safety in the mines. Following the deliberations, the National Executive Council in

session resolves as follow; 

 1.0 THE TELE-BOKAZO-ANWIA CONFLICT

 The National Executive Council notes with appreciation the promptness with which the Government set up a committee to investigate the factors that led to the impasse between local communities in the Nzema area and Adamus Australian Mining Company, with a view of engendering mutual co-existence between the business and the local communities.

2.0 VISION FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY

 The National Executive Council also commends the initiative by the Government in setting up a committee to put forward proposals as to how the receipts to be derived from the oil industry will be beneficial to the catchment area and the national economy as a whole.

 3.0  INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) CONVENTION 176

The NEC notes that ILO Convention 176 and recommendation 183 on Health and Safety in the Mines has not ratified despite several appeals from the Union to that effect.

 The NEC sees this development as very unfortunate and worrying considering the hazardous nature of mining and extraction operations. The Ministers responsible for Mines, Lands Forestry and Manpower Development Youth & Employment and Ghana Chamber of Mines are being called upon to initiate a tripartite and experts discussions to facilitate the promulgation of a new law in Ghana to ensure good health and safety in the Mines.

 4.0       ROYALTIES

 The NEC appreciates efforts being made by some mining companies through their community development initiatives. However, infrastructural development in the mining communities is generally poor.

 Government is being called upon to review the apportionment of mineral revenues to ensure that the communities in which mines operate are allocated adequate funds for development and therefore supports the campaign by the Ghana Chamber of Mines to increase the current 10% of royalties paid to District Assemblies and traditional stools be increased to 30%.

 It is further proposed that a “stakeholder development” team consisting of District Assemblies, Industry and Civil Society in these areas be tasked with specific developmental agendas with a representative body responsible for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

 5.0       ILLEGAL MINING ‘GALAMSEY’ OPERATIONS

 The National Executive Council is concerned about the alarming proportions illegal ‘galamsey’ activities have assumed especially in Obuasi to the extent that the lives of mineworkers are seriously threatened.

 The NEC is requesting the Ministry of Interior, the Mines Inspectorate, the Minerals Commission, the Management of Anglogold Ashanti, Chiefs and Opinion Leaders of Obuasi, and its environs to devise a swift intervention to deal with the  illegal mining ‘galamsey’ menace.

 6.0     THE EFFECTS OF NON- PERFORMANCE OF GHANA RAILWAY  COMPANY

The NEC appreciates government investment in the Western Rail lines due to the impact on bulk haulage of Bauxite and Manganese.

 The NEC is asking the Minister for Railways, Ports and Harbours to sustain this investment to ensure that Ghana Railway Company discharges its contractual obligations to Ghana Bauxite and Ghana Manganese Companies respectively to ensure their commercial and operational viability.

 7.0       STATE OF ROADS

 The NEC notes with great concern the deplorable state of roads within the Mining communities. The road network especially those within Tarkwa, the main Tarkwa/Bogoso/Prestea roads and the Aboso/Damang/Akempim roads are all in desperate need of mainetnance.

 NEC is calling on the Ministry of Roads & Transport to as a matter of urgency, rehabilitate these commercial roads considering the immense economic contribution of the catchment areas to the national economy.