The Deputy Energy Minister, Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has charged the newly constituted Volta Resettlement Trust Fund Board to make the current trust deed workable in accordance with acceptable standards.
He gave the charge when he inaugurated the 16-member Board in Accra on Wednesday.
He indicated that the Trust Fund’s Board of Trustees was dissolved in 2021 to re-evaluate the Trust Deed’s objectives and re-constitute the membership of the Managing Trustees for equitable representation and effective management.
“It is therefore apt, that I now inaugurate the VRA Resettlement Trust Fund Board of Trustees (Managing Trustees) after some time of reflections on its mandate,” he added.
Mr Mercer noted that an annual grant provided by VRA may not be sustainable in perpetuity and urged the incoming Managing Trustees, who represent all three parties to the Trust Deed, to consider revenue-generating measures or projects that would be used to sustain the Fund in the long run while providing an exit strategy for the annual grant funded solely by VRA.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr Emmanuel Nana Antwi-Barima assured the Ministry of the Board’s determination to offer a paradigm shift and to ensure that its mandate was fulfilled.
The VRA Resettlement Trust Fund was established in 1996 by the government through the then Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Volta River Authority (VRA).
A Trust Deed (Trust Deed Constituting the VRA Resettlement Trust Fund), which set up the Trust Fund, was executed on July 22, 1996.
The function of the Trust Fund is to address the health, education, water, sanitation and other needs of direct benefit to the 52 resettlement townships based on requests received.
Members on the Board include the Members of Parliament for concerned areas which are Kpandai, Salaga, Biakoye, Krachi West, Krachi East and North Dayi. It also includes MPs for Yilo Krobo, Fanteakwa, Mpraeso and Pru West.
Irene Wirekoaa Osei, ISD
