Neglect of mining areas in Ghana: the case for equitable distribution of resource revenue

Abstract

The article portrays the standard of living and the deplorable conditions that exist in mining areas. The government of Ghana set up the Mineral Development Fund to aid development in mining areas but has not been successful in ensuring that mining communities benefit sufficiently from mining revenues since development still does not take place. Mining has gone on for over a 100 years in Ghana, but the developmental challenges facing the mining communities remain with agitations from the towns. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Constitution vest all natural resources in the President on behalf of and in trust for the people of Ghana. The confidence the Constitution puts in the President must see to the development of the mining communities. Progress has eluded mining communities in Ghana since the exploitation of minerals. This article argues that part of the revenue that accrues to the nation from its minerals must be reserved for a national fund that is managed by a body that is not related to the state for the development of the mining areas. In the alternative, mining lease should specify part of the revenue for the development of the mining communities.