By Felix Cofie
The intention of government is to sanitise the mining sector and improve productivity. Through well-orchestrated policies, government will fight the Galamsey menace, which has become a national crisis.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources made these remarks during a courtesy call on him by three different ambassadors in Accra.
The Chinese ambassador to Ghana His Excellency, Tong Defa, said the Chinese government has been impressed by the policies and plans of President John Dramani Mahama, and the Chinese government is prepared to serve as an avid collaborator in the implementation of these innovative policies.
For his part, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the Chinese government has been a strategic partner to Ghana.
“We have been supporting each other in a lot of areas. Bilateral trade and cooperation continue to flourish. China enjoys being the largest training partner for Ghana. China remains one of the biggest investors in Ghana. I am happy President attended our event and delivered an encouraging speech that Ghana’s doors are open to Chinese investors for business,” he said.
“We are very glad and dedicated to continuing this strong relationship. We regard Ghana as strategic partners, and our interest covers all areas. We are willing and ready to align with the agenda of President Mahama,” he said.
The Minister stated that policies such as the ‘Tree for Life and ‘Blue Water’ initiatives present significant opportunities for Chinese investors to tap into a new market and generate benefits.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah also outlined the government’s plan to shift Ghana from resource production to resource refinement and value addition, noting that there are plans by government to revamp VALCO and that new investors are welcomed to leverage the opportunity.
He stated that the promotion of legal and sustainable mining activities is a priority among priorities for the Ghanaian government and that the Chinese, Australian, and US investors can trust the government of Ghana to create the necessary legal framework for their investment to thrive, especially in the mining and forestry sub-sectors.
The Lands Minister, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, stated that the government will continue to partner with the Chinese, Australia, and the United States of America government for the country’s growth.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah also received Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, with the conversation focusing on the mining industries in both countries with emphasis on how Ghana can learn from the success story of Australia, which is one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to mining.
The Lands Minister further outlined the challenges confronting the Ghanaian mining industry, seeking the support of the Australian government and investment community in dealing with the challenge.
Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah stated that while there exists massive opportunity in the mining sector as it plays critical role in Ghana’s, there is the urgent need for the government to eradicate the challenges in order not to just generate maximum revenue but also protect the country’s forest and water resources.
H.E. Berenice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, indicated the preparedness of Australia to provide personnel and logistical support to Ghana as the country navigates its illegal mining challenge.
She promised to engage relevant stakeholders and ensure that the government gets the required support to turn around the situations about its river bodies and forests.
Meanwhile, the United States of America High Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Ms. Virginia E. Palmer, also paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Minister. She congratulated the Lands Minister on his appointment and also discussed ways of deepening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the United States.
The Hon. Minister, in his response, admitted the importance of collaborating with the US government to improve Ghana’s forest management, especially through programmes such as women in afforestation.
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