The Obuasi East Municipal Assembly received only 31.7 per cent of the mineral royalties it was entitled to in 2023, according to a new study by the Africa Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (ACEES), raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of Ghana’s mineral revenue distribution system.
The findings were presented during the launch of a research report titled “Assessing Compliance, Transparency and Accountability of Mineral Revenue Transfers to Subnational Authorities in Ghana (2019–2023): The Case of Obuasi East Municipal.” The study examined how mineral revenues are transferred, managed and utilised at the local government level, with particular attention to transparency, accountability and compliance with existing legal frameworks.
According to the report, Obuasi East Municipal was entitled to receive GH¢1,554,685 in mineral royalties in 2023. However, the Assembly received only GH¢492,636, leaving an outstanding shortfall of more than GH¢1 million.
Researchers noted that the unpaid amount represents critical development resources that could have been invested in improving education, healthcare, road infrastructure, water supply and other essential public services within the municipality.
ACEES expressed concern that persistent delays and incomplete transfers continue to undermine local development in mining communities, despite their significant contribution to Ghana’s mineral wealth. The organisation argued that host communities should receive their full statutory share of mineral revenues to compensate for the environmental and social impacts associated with mining activities.