The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has expressed dissatisfaction with a cash donation of US$4million from the Ghana Chamber of Mines to the Appiatse Support Fund.

To the minister, it is not out of place for the Chamber to take up the entire cost of the reconstruction of the Appiatse community, and if he had his way, he would have compelled the Chamber to do so.

The companies that contributed are Anglogold Ashanti Limited, Chirano Gold Mines Limited, Goldfields Ghana Limited and Newmont Ghana Limited.

Mr Jinapor said the Chamber has a total membership of over 70 companies and expressed the hope that the other members will contribute to the fund.

He said given the membership of the Chamber, the industry they are engaged in, and their portfolio, the donation made was very insignificant, having regard to the destruction caused.

Mr Jinapor said the extractive industry must do more to carry the people with them, and must, therefore, show leadership and greater responsibility in such unfortunate and tragic incidents.

He said, having visited the people of Appiatse on several occasions after the tragic incident, he is aware of the general feeling of the people.

Mr. Jinapor pledged the Ministry’s continuous support to the Chamber and urged the Chamber to work hand in hand with Government as partners.

The Appiatse Support Fund has been established to among others, support the victims of the Appiatse explosion incident and reconstruct the Appiatse community.

Presenting the donation, the President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Eric Asubonteng, said the Chamber was very concerned about the incident and have therefore pulled their resources together, culminating in the US$4million they were presenting.

Mr. Asubonteng also thanked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, for his leadership and the constructive and decisive manner in which he handled the Appiatse explosion incident.

Story by:Kwaku Stephen