The Ghana Mineworkers Union has honoured the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his role in ensuring the sustainability and survival of the mining industry.<\/p>\n
In a small citation from the Union to the revered King, the mineworkers acknowledged his vital role\u00a0in reviving Anglogold Ashanti which was put under care and maintenance some 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
The plague of honour was presented to him while he sat in state at the Manhyia Place.<\/p>\n
It had on it, inscriptions: \u201cYour Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The entire membership of the Ghana Mineworkers\u2019 Union of TUC, with a cheerful heart, lift up the royal Horns to proclaim the unique wisdom you have always exhibited in handling matters relating to the mining industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are particularly grateful to you for your timely intervention that saved the Obuasi Mine from near-collapse in 2009.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this, we in the Ghana Mineworkers\u00a0Union are proud to celebrate you. Otumfuo Ayekoo,\u201d<\/p>\n
The name of the symbol for Otumfuo\u2019s Plaque\u00a0\u201cOpanin No Nie\u201d, had two images of individuals with horns which they were blowing to signify appellations or\u00a0praise\u00a0for a job well done.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the presentation, General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers Union, Prince William Ankrah, who brings his work to an end this year (after 28years of leading the union) thanked the Asante King for his immeasurable\u00a0support especially\u00a0during the trying days of Obuasi, when the town\u00a0almost became\u00a0a ghost town.<\/p>\n
He praised the King\u2019s contribution to\u00a0ensuring that life was brought back to Obuasi with the return of Anglogold Ashanti, the largest mining firm in the town.<\/p>\n
At the Manhyia Palace,\u00a0General Secretary Prince William Ankrah also introduce to the King, the incoming General Secretary of the Union Abdul Moomin Gbana.<\/p>\n
The mineworkers who are celebrating their 75th anniversary this year have in the last month been honouring all those who have played active roles for\u00a0their return.
\nThe first to be acknowledged for his contribution to the industry was former President Jerry John Rawlings. The former president while\u00a0receiving the award charged Ghanaians to be responsible\u00a0for the\u00a0environment as the country continues to battle illegal mining.<\/p>\n
He said one of the biggest challenges to the mining industry, is the damage to the environment citing the blatant abuse of the environment by \u2018galamsey\u2019 mining.<\/p>\n
Mr Rawlings further\u00a0urged the members of the Mine Workers Union to impact their communities, by becoming agents of change using the anniversary to perform deep introspection of what they can do for Ghana.<\/p>\n
Another distinguished personality who was honoured by the union was former Chief Executive of AngloGold Ashanti, Sir Sam Jonah. He, during a dinner night organised on his behalf, urged the government to improve local content participation in the mining sector.<\/p>\n
The mining expert in an interview with Joy Business said it was not laudable that indigenes in the sector cannot boast of at least 10% of the ownership of operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you take all the mining companies producing gold, Ghanaian ownership, apart from the Ghana government\u2019s 10% which we as Minerals Commission insisted on, no Ghanaian has more than one percent or has even half percent and that has to be corrected otherwise there\u2019s no ownership in the natural resource; it\u2019s all owned by foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some individuals who have also been honoured by the union are Prof. Akilakpa Sawyer, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana Legon, who exhibited a distinctive repository of knowledge and wisdom during the preparation of the modern mining laws of Ghana.<\/p>\n
The rest are Mr. Sam Poku, former Executive Director, Ghana Chamber of Mines, who played a critical role in removing the hitherto adversarial union\/management relationship within the mining industry, and Mr. Kofi Ansah, Founding Chief Executive of Minerals Commission, whose pioneering role in shaping the mining industry laid a strong foundation for the growth and development of the Minerals Commission.<\/p>\n
Other personalities including\u00a0Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as well as Comrades Dominic Forvie and Ebow Tawiah were also appreciated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Ghana Mineworkers Union has honoured the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his role in ensuring the sustainability and survival of the mining industry. In a small citation from the Union to the revered King, the mineworkers acknowledged his vital role\u00a0in reviving Anglogold Ashanti which was put under care and maintenance some 10 years […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":7238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,5],"tags":[4693,2655],"class_list":["post-7237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-economy","tag-ghana-mineworkers-union","tag-otumfuo-osei-tutu-ii"],"yoast_head":"\n