Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, founder of the Movement for Change, has referred as “populist propaganda”, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to make Ghanaians wholly own the country’s mineral resources.
The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said at a campaign tour that he will ensure a 100 per cent Ghanaian ownership of its mineral resources should he be elected into power.
He had explained that the existing framework in the mining sector where foreigners take a chunk of the proceeds away due to concessional arrangements is worrying, the reason he intends to alter the ownership upon assumption of office.
But, Alan Kyerematen, leader of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC), thinks the Vice President’s promise is nothing but a mere political talk.
In an interview with the Chronicle Newspaper, the former Trade and Industry Minister stated that Ghanaians already own their mineral resources.
He said Article 257 (6) of the 1992 Constitution already guarantees that all mineral resources in their natural state within Ghana and its territorial waters are vested in the President on behalf of the Ghanaian people.
The former Trade and Industry minister noted that the minerals include both solid and liquid, with specific laws governing access and management.
“So, Ghanaians already own 100% of their mineral resources by law. The impression being created by the Vice President that he will make Ghanaians own 100% of their natural resources is misleading and amounts to populist propaganda,” he stated.
