The Ghana Mines Workers Union has called on the Government to beef up security around concessions of legal mining operators in mining areas across the country.

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The call was necessitated by the growing insecurity and attacks on the legal mine workers.

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The Secretary to the Union, Mr Abdul-Moomim Gbana, blamed the development on illegal miners whose jobs have been interrupted by the government.

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According to him, to continue to engage in the mining business, the disgruntled miners have resorted to invading the concessions of legal miners leading to threats and attacks.

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Thus, the need for the government to deploy police or military to protect members of the union.

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Mr Gbana while highlighting that also called for a government review of the contract with foreign mining companies to increase local participation.

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“We should relook at the 90:10 per cent agreement and shift from tax regime to value addition for greater benefits.

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The narrative should change because Ghanaians must be directly involved. This requires capacity building and state intervention and support,” he stated.

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He made the calls when the union met with the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge on Mines, George Mireku Duker, in Accra.

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The Minister on his part assured that the government was reviewing most of the contract agreements to increase local participation.

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“We would ensure increased local content participation, not only for the welfare of workers but also outsourcing of some production activities and technology transfer to Ghanaians” Mr Mireku Duker said.

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Source: Ghanaweb

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