Ghana government to construct two weigh bridges for measuring the quantity of bauxite and manganese carried for export

Ghana government is soon constructing two weigh bridges in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality and Ahanta West District respectively in order to accurately measure the quantity of bauxite and manganese being carried to the Takoradi Port for export. Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh recently inspected the construction work of both the weigh bridges.

The bridges will enable the Government Minerals Commission to measure the exact tonnage of bauxite and manganese exported by the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) and the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC); and help measure the expected revenue due the state.

It will also help the government to do away with any under declaration of tonnages of bauxite and manganese exported by the GMC and GBC.

The Minister and his team comprising the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission; the Chief Inspector of Mines; the Mine Advisor to the Minister; and more members from the Commission and the Ministry, visited the site acquired for the construction of a weigh bridge on Tuesday, October 15.

The Minister discussed with landowners issues related to land cost and compensations and both the parties agreed for commencement of work on the project within the Ghana Bauxite Company's operational area. There is an old weigh bridge constructed by the GBC for measuring its trucks loaded with bauxite, close to the new site. However, the bridges sometimes indicated errors in measuring loads.

The new bridges are expected to prevent all such discrepancies and promote transparency and accountability. The Government of Ghana has 20% shares in each in the two mining companies and the completion of the weigh bridges would safeguard its business and revenue interests.