Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana says government, led by His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is determined to establish a sustainable, healthy, viable, indigenous and an environmentally sound-mining industry which can generate strong local participation that will creatively contribute to promote the sustainable development of Ghana both locally and internationally.
He said this during his opening remarks at the 2022 West African and Power Exhibition Conference today, 1st June, 2022 in Accra.
Speaking on the 3-day conference on the theme “Advancing A Legacy Of Sustainable And Responsible Mining through Innovation And Partnerships”, the Vice President indicated that for Ghana to achieve this, there should be a concerted effort in ensuring that “all various components and linkages of the Mining Industry here in Ghana are firmly established and maintained at a very functional level.
He said “this will stretch from concession acquisition, adequate funding for exploration through actual Mining, refining, corporate management and development as well as rapid emergence of the equitable upstream and downstream services that will all be established in Ghana.”
In his speech, Dr. Bawumia sounded a clarion call to the various Mining stakeholders in Ghana and West Africa, to work towards the emergence of a Mining Index on the various stock exchanges which will accelerate the growth and significance in the Mining Industry in the region.
The Vice President also made a passionate appeal to the various stakeholders from the Mining sector, saying that “the overriding aim for all parties should be the evolution of a carefully balance mechanism to ensure that the resources of the state benefit the owners of the resource and at the same time extend benefits to the investors to ensure that the state is able to sustainably attract the needed capital, investment and technical know-how.”
The Deputy Minister in charge of Mines, Hon. George Mireku Duker on his part commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for their invaluable contribution in promoting viable, responsible and sustainable mining as well as their collaboration with the Ministry to actively aid the dream of making Ghana a mining investment destination.
Mr. Duker reassured the Ministry’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining across the country. He said, “The fight against illegal mining In the forest reserves and water bodies must be tackled with a united front by all stakeholders.
“The havoc being caused by illegal mining, on both state and private assets is very worrying and we will not relent on efforts to stop the menace”.
He stated that, part of the measures to address illegal mining is encouraging community mining which intends to build the youth which will feed into an industry with an enhanced local content.
The Deputy Minister further indicated the importance of mining responsibly to preserve the ecological zone of the mining communities and the country at large.
He also urged everyone to be part of Government’s Afforestation programme, Green Ghana Day which is slated for June 10, 2022.
