Mad. Happy-Edjeani presented a seed money of GHC1 Million to the eight-member Committee, tasked to facilitate the socio-economic development of the 10-affected mining communities within the Newmont Goldcorp Ahafo Mine Project area.

The Committee is composed of Mr. Anthony Mensah, the Asutifi North District Chief Executive, Nana Twereko Ampem III, the Paramount Chief of Ntotroso, Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, the Paramount Chief of Kenyasi Number One and Odeneho Kwabena Nsiah Ababio, the Paramount Chief of Kenyasi Number Two.

The rest are representatives from women and youth groups in the area, Newmont Goldcorp and Minerals Commission.

Mad. Happy-Edjeani who led the members to take the three national oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy explained the establishment of the Committee was supported by a Legislative Instrument (LI) and advised them against corruption.

She tasked the Committee to meet regularly with the people, identify and help address their basic and immediate needs to push forward development.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Chermeh, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the mine-affected communities looked onto the Committee for development, and advised the members not to fail the people.

He said the Minerals Development Fund would continue to ensure that the Committee had the required funds to push forward development in the mining communities and therefore called on the Committee to use the monies judiciously for the betterment of the people.

On behalf of the Committee members, Mr. Anthony Mensah expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them, and pledged that the Committee would deliver its mandate as expected.