Samuel Abu Jinapor (R) with his deputy, George Mireku Duker inspecting items of some mining companies on exhibition
The government has indicated that it would continue to put in measures to ensure Ghanaians benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
As part of the measures, the government has increased the items on the Local Procurement List of goods and services reserved for Ghanaians in the mining sector to 50 items.
This will ensure that the country retains about $3 billion annually, which would, otherwise, have been funneled out of the country.
Aside that, the government has also established the Minerals Development Fund (MDF), to provide direct financial resources for the benefit of mining communities.
It is also implementing policies, such as, the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), and the Community Mining Schemes, which will, obviously, inure to the benefit of mining communities.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, revealed this at the 4th Ghana Mining Expo held in Takoradi.
The event provided a multi-sectoral platform for the exchange of ideas on investment opportunities and challenges in the African mining sector.
It was aimed at implementing strategies for accelerated growth in mining, while ensuring resilience on all fronts, and at all times, as Africa’s economic bedrock.
It was on the theme, “Sustainable Mineral Resources Development and Well-Being of Mining Communities”.
Mr. Jinapor said, “While ensuring that our mineral resources benefit the whole nation, we acknowledge the peculiarity of mining communities, who are directly affected by mining operations”.
He noted that by dint of hard work, and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, particularly, the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the country is the leading producer of gold on the African continent, with gold output in 2022 exceeding 3.74 million ounce.
He pointed out that if the country will continue to benefit from its minerals, it must invest in value addition. “That is why since 2017, under the outstanding leadership of President Akufo-Addo, we continue to pursue policies aimed at adding value to our mineral resources”.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah indicated that clearly, without the mineral Gold, the country’s quick recovery after the COVID-19 crises would not have been possible.
“It is for this reason, I call for the doubling of production in all our mining activities since the only way out of poverty is wealth creation through increased productivity”, he noted.
He mentioned that lithium was also fast becoming a major focus for exploitation adding, “Western Region is committed to harnessing its mineral potential responsibly and inclusively to create the desirable local communities we want”.
He added, “throughout the years, we have aimed to foster a mining sector that positively impacts our society, economy, and environment”.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi