Akpafu-Todzi has long been surrounded by stories of a prevalent iron making and trading industry dating back about two centuries. However, as with all stories without enough verifiable proof, it was written off as myth. Not until a geological survey carried out in the year 1975 by Kesse and Banson. The survey largely confirmed the existence of iron ore and an iron-making industry in the region. Despite this find, the iron industry that existed there is currently dead. Several factors could account for this, but at its core is that the town lacks a modern mining industry to take advantage of the resource at its disposal. But this could be changing soon.
The government plans to revamp the iron making industry in all of Oti region this time around following the discovery, in commercial quantities, of the mineral at Akokrowa, and other parts of region by the Ghana Geological Survey Authority. The Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), at a durbar in Dambai, announced government’s plan to begin exploration of iron ore in the region. This is expected to take place at Bowiri and Kabosu in the Biakoye District, Akpafu in the Guan District, Teteman, Kute and Baglo in the Jasikan Municipality, Katanga and Asukwakwa in the Krachi-East Municipality and Amanfrom in the Kadjebi District.
PARTNERING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TO ADVANCE DEVELOPMENT
The initiative is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Africa Exploration Mineral Group and Manish Company Limited to commence exploration, this month, and completed by the end of the year. It will be followed by the formulation of a master plan for mining activities, as part of the government’s industrialisation policy for the country.
GIISDEC has allocated 10 iron ore blocks in the region to selected investors to undertake geo-scientific studies, dubbed the Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE). The investors are Africa Exploration and Mining Ghana Limited; Gem Global Ventures; Cloudline Ghana Limited; Q3 Company Limited; Star Steels Limited; Shokram Limited; B5 Plus Limited; Fabrimetal Limited; Planet One Group and Magya Mining and Contract Services Limited. These blocks are old mines, which stretch from the Akpafu range to Akpafu-Todzi towards the hill, east of Santrokofi-Benua.
All the blocks are or near the crest of the Santrokofi-Akuapem-Togo Range with the rest being small, except for the largest and most developed mine, Akpafu-Todzi. The allocation is to encourage selected investors to invest in geo-scientific studies.
The iron ore deposits in Oti and other parts of Ghana, especially the Sheini Hills, if harnessed properly could contribute immensely to the local economies of these towns, the region and the country at large.
The Chief Executive of GIISDEC, Kwabena Bonsu Fordwor, said the allocation and demarcation was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and the Minerals Commission. He appealed to the chiefs and people to support the government, GIISDEC and investors toward iron ore exploration and industrialization drive in Oti.
“This support is necessary, if we must make the speedy headway of joining the league of steel producers in the world. We look forward to the period when iron rods would be produced locally and many more of our compatriots from our Geological Engineering Faculties join us as engineers,”
Mr Fordwo expressed.
A PROMISING PROSPECT
Mr Bonsu is assuring that GIISDEC will work to promote cordial and mutual relationship with all stakeholders, and fully fulfil its corporate social responsibility to the communities when full production commences.
GIISDEC Board Chairman, Farouk Aliu Mahama, has expressed his hopes that the production of iron rods, steel and related products for local use and export, can enable the country save foreign exchange and strengthen the local currency.
He believes Ghana is on course to build an industrialised economy, and that this partnership could prevent the import of iron rods and other related products. A step that will see growth in reliance on locally produced ones.
Mr Joshua Makudu, Oti Regional Minister, has cited iron and steel as being “the backbone of industrialisation” globally, and is confident their discovery in Oti can be sign of good things to come. He has assured all prospective investors that his outfit would provide them the necessary impetus to carry out their activities peacefully.
The minister stated that the establishment of the GIISDEC by government was to ensure sustainable exploitation of iron ore deposits across the country and facilitate the exploitation of the natural resource.
