Perseus Mining (Ghana) Limited has presented a dividend of US$35 million to the Government of Ghana, a significant increase from the US$5 million paid to the state last year.
The dividend is equivalent to GH¢391.2 million.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who announced the payment, expressed appreciation to Perseus Mining on behalf of the government and people of Ghana.
He said the significant increase in the dividend reflected the company’s improved profitability.
Dr Forson said the payment also underscored the need for Ghana to secure a fairer share of the revenues generated from the country’s extractive sector.
“Ghana must receive its fair share from the extractive sector,” he said.
The Finance Minister linked the increased payment to the government’s sliding-scale system, which is designed to ensure that the state receives greater benefits when mining companies record higher profits.
“That is why we introduced the sliding-scale system: when mining companies earn more, the people of Ghana must benefit more!” he stated.
The latest dividend represents a sevenfold increase over the US$5 million paid to the state by Perseus Mining last year.
