Tarkwa: MDF projects abandoned due to lack of funds

Legacy projects under the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), across the country have stalled due to lack of funds.
The University of Mines-Tarkwa, a beneficiary of such project, has about 10 projects at various stages of construction, abandoned or left to rot in some cases.
A delegation from the Minerals Development Fund, Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources engaged the university on the way forward.

Among the legacy projects for the University of Mines are a-four storey main administration block, which is 70 per cent complete, 4 storey faculty block, 5 storey administration block, 2 storey classroom block – complete, 2 storey cafeteria block – near completion, 2 storey -3 bedroom flat for staff.
Most of these projects began in 2010. Aside that, UMaT plans to construct a sport facility and guest house from its share of the MDF.
The Minerals Development Fund established by an act of parliament is to allocate resources from royalties to address developmental challenges affecting mining communities.
The University is allocated five percent money from the fund of which 2 percent is shared among geological departments in government and the various universities while the remaining 3 percent used for various projects at the university.
UMaT, wants the money scaled up to cover more areas.
The chairman of University Council, Dr. Stephen Safore Yirenkyi, said swift steps should be implored to save or salvage the existing projects from further decay.
The Minister for lands and natural resources, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh said despite the prevailing challenges, proactive measures would be taken to ensure projects are completed to facilitate teaching and learning.
Currently, GH¢4.5 billion is needed to complete the stalled projects. Mr. Asomah-Cheremeh assured the officials of the university that 15 percent of the MDF will be released to complete the abandoned projects.
The Minister therefore asked contractors working on the various projects in the University to resume work. UMaT has been instrumental in the fight against Small Scale Mining by training 3,700 small scale miners on prudent and sustainable mining ahead of the lifting of the ban.
Story by: Clara Mlano