The Governing board, Management and selected investors of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) are embarking on a stakeholder engagement tour at its biggest iron ore host communities. This forms part of efforts to promote a mutually beneficial relationship between GIISDEC, and critical stakeholders, potential investors and host communities. Hon. Farouk Aliu Mahama, the Board Chairman will lead the team comprising of the nine Board members, Management and some selected investors of the corporation to pay a courtesy call to the Oti region’s paramount chiefs.
As contained in the GIISDEC Act 988, 2019, GIISDEC is mandated to collaborate with the private sector in conducting the business of iron ore mining and steel development in Ghana.
In accordance with GIISDEC’s mandate, the corporation has collaborated with investors who are willing to commit to the development of the country’s iron and steel sector. GIISDEC has received interest from both foreign and local investors and is currently in partnership with a number of private companies including Emaland, GEM Global, Star Steels, CISDI, Q3, PlanetOne limited, and B5 Plus limited amongst others to develop iron ore mines in the country. Ten (10) iron blocks in the Oti region have been assigned to them for the commencement of Mineral Resource Estimation.
Mineral resource estimation, which is used in mining to determine the quantity and quality of an ore deposit and its estimated economic value and is usually done after a stakeholder engagement is being undertaken.
In addition, stakeholder engagement is a critical component of GIISDEC’s mining operations in host communities and entails identifying the key stakeholders, understanding their issues and interests, and managing their expectations.
to undertake the tour immediately in lieu of the commencement of the Mineral Resource Estimation.
The five-day tour began with a courtesy call on the Regional Minister, RCC of the Oti Region by the GIISDEC board and team.
Subsequently, GIISDEC held a sensitization durbar in Dambai – Capital of the Oti Region of which the board chairman of the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation who is also the member of Parliament for Yendi, Hon Farouk Aliu Mahaha revealed that some ten Local and Foreign investors have expressed interest in funding Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE) in 10 Iron ore blocks in the Oti Region.
This project according to him will bring a major revamp to the region whiles fulfilling president Akufo-Addo’s promise to reduce unemployment.
Traditional leaders and opinion leaders within the region were called upon to support the exploration of iron ore in commercial quantities.
In Attendance were Paramount Chiefs of Akroso, Akpafu, Santrokofi, Asato, Bum Bodada;
Apesokubi and Bowiri Traditionals councils, Reginal Minister, MDCEs( Krachi East,
Biakoye, Guan, Jasikan and Akan RCC and GIISDEC) on the 2nd day.
The GIISDEC team will proceed to pay a courtesy call on the Chief of Pai-Katanga, Paramount Chief of Akroso Traditional, and Paramount Chief of Apesokubi. After which we will proceed to visit the Paramount chief of Bowiri Traditional Council, [ Bowiri Amanfrom,
Bowiri Kyirahene, Bowiri Takrabe,] (Nana Salo Palace-Bowiri Anyinase) on the 3rd day.
However, the courtesy call to the paramount chief of the Asato Traditional area (Kadjebi) the Community Durbar, and Courtesy call on the Bum Traditional Council (Bodada) will take place on the 4th day.
Finally, the GIISDEC team will visit the paramount chief of Akpafu Traditional Area (Guan District), the paramount chief of Santrokofi Traditional Area (Guan District) and engage the host community to mark the end of the five-day stakeholders’ engagement.
Story by:Kwaku Stephen
