The Western North Development Association (WENDA) was established in 2011 with the vision of advocating for the creation of the Western North Region. An idea that was abandoned for decades. The association tirelessly championed this cause until it gained public recognition and was embraced by the NPP, then in opposition. With the NPP’s endorsement, along with support from various groups, local leaders and stakeholders, the idea gained momentum. Ultimately, the Western North Region was created through a referendum, alongside five other new regions, bringing Ghana’s total regions to 16. It is important to note that without the pioneering efforts of WENDA, there would not have been a Western North Region or indeed any of the new regions we see in Ghana today. The strategic leadership and persistent advocacy of the association were the driving force behind this historic achievement. The President of this great association, Dr. Tony Tsina Addai, has an important message for all Ghanaians, especially those living in mining communities. Dr. Tony Addai’s message is as follows:
Ghana’s rich mineral resources have long been heralded as a vital engine of national growth and development. From the Western North Region places like Bibiani, Chirano, Awaso and numerous other mining communities in Ghana, the extraction of gold, bauxite, manganese and other minerals have generated substantial revenues. These revenues are not merely numbers on paper; they are assets meant to uplift communities, finance infrastructure and improve the livelihoods of local residents. Yet, despite decades of mining activity and substantial revenue inflows, a stark contradiction persists. Many of these communities remain underdeveloped, lacking access to quality education, healthcare, clean water and essential infrastructure. This paradox prompts a fundamental question: Where are the benefits of our mineral wealth? Why do the promises of development often remain unfulfilled and why do residents continue to ask, “Where are our community’s share of these mineral revenues?”
The answer lies in systemic governance challenges, opacity in financial management and limited community participation. The legal and institutional frameworks established to manage mineral royalties are designed to ensure that resource wealth benefits both the nation and its local communities. Government collect 5 percent of the total revenue by the mining companies as royalties by the Ghana Revenue Authority on behalf of the government. According to current arrangements, 80% of mineral royalties collected is paid into the Consolidated Fund to support national budget. The remaining 20% is specifically set aside for local development.
However, in practice, these mechanisms often fall short of their potential. Communities are frequently kept in the dark about the actual amounts received and the manner of their expenditure. Transparency is limited, oversight mechanisms are weak and community involvement remains superficial at best. As a result, funds allocated for local development are sometimes misused, misappropriated, or simply underutilized, leading to a disillusioned populace that perceives resource wealth as a distant, inaccessible promise rather than a tangible benefit. The 20 percent is split equally, ten percent is allocated to the Office of Stool Lands within each mining community in Ghana. The other 10 percent is allocated to the Mineral Development Fund(MDF). The Mineral Development Fund is meant to use to support infrastructure and community projects in the mining areas only. Projects such as schools, hospitals, good drinking water etc. Now the 10 percent that comes to the Office of the Stool Lands is charged by the constitution of Ghana to distribute the money as follows: First the Office of the Stool Lands of every mining community in Ghana, retains ten percent of the total money received for administration expenses. Out of the remaining amount, twenty percent is allocated to the traditional authority or the stool for maintenance of these lands. The largest portion of 50 percent is allocated directly to the Municipal/ District Assembly in the mining area. This amount is intended for socioeconomic development projects that address the specific needs of the local community. In some districts or municipalities, Local Management Committee may also be established to oversee the use of these funds, ensuring transparency, accountability and that the projects undertaken are aligned with community priorities.
This structured approach ensures that the wealth generated from the minerals does not only support the national economy but also brings real, tangible development to the grassroots. It empowers traditional leaders, strengthens local governance and most importantly, improves the living standards of the people in the mining communities. This disconnect is rooted in several systemic issues. The lack of transparent reporting fuels mistrust; limited community participation hampers ownership and relevance of development projects and weak oversight allows mismanagement to flourish. These challenges undermine the potential of mineral revenues to serve as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Addressing these entrenched problems requires a fundamental shift that should rooted in transparency, inclusivity and accountability. The path forward involves empowering communities through comprehensive information sharing, participatory decision-making and independent oversight. Publicly accessible disclosures of receipts and expenditures should become standard practice, utilizing digital platforms and community forums to ensure broad reach and understanding. Establishing genuine participatory governance structures such as community oversight committees, comprising youth, traditional leaders, civil society and technical experts is essential to embed local voices in project prioritization and implementation. Furthermore, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are critical. Independent bodies should oversee project progress, financial accountability and socio-economic impacts, with periodic public reports to ensure transparency and build trust. Capacity building for local management committees will enhance their ability to manage projects effectively and ethically.
This is not solely a government responsibility; it is a collective obligation. Civil society, the media, traditional authorities and residents must all engage actively asking questions, demanding accountability and participating meaningfully. Citizens possess the right to information and the power to influence how mineral wealth is utilized. Their active involvement is crucial to ensuring that resource revenues serve as catalysts for equitable and sustainable development. Wenda calls upon the government to have a better negotiations with the mining companies to increase the royalties from five percent to ten percent. Wenda equally call upon the government to increase the 20 percent for local development to forty percent instead.
Ghana’s mineral wealth holds immense potential to transform communities and foster national prosperity. But unlocking this potential depends on our collective commitment to transparency, civic participation and responsible governance. Mineral royalties should not remain an abstraction or a source of corruption; they must be a genuine driver of progress, building schools, improving healthcare, creating jobs and enhancing the quality of life for all individual in the mining communities in Ghana not just Western North Region. If only you have mining in your community, the leaders there receive this money meant for local development. If no tangible project is found, make your way to the Office of the Stool Lands for the inflow of the mineral royalties. It is time for Ghanaians to hold the leaders accountable, demand openness and participate actively in shaping the future of the resource-rich communities. Our natural wealth belongs to all of us and its benefits should be shared equitably. Let us forge a future where Ghana’s mineral wealth becomes a true foundation for sustainable development, driven by transparency, inclusion and shared responsibility. Together, we can transform the promise of mineral royalties into a reality that benefits generations to come. The question remains do we see the benefits of our mineral royalties in our communities? If not why not? For more information, contact Wenda on Facebook, Instagram, You Tube, TikTok as WENDAGHANA. Email [email protected]. Phone 0247434025/ 0595715151.
BY President of the Western North Development Association(Wenda), Dr Tony TsIna Addai
