By: Nana Ama Omari
Players in the country’s mining industry have bemoaned government’s lack of confidence in their capability to add value to raw minerals. This situation they noted is crippling the industry. According to them, dedicated government support will properly position the sector to enhance revenue generation.
This came up at a three day Gold Statement conference and exhibition in Accra.
The conference which was used to showcase the country’s indigenous jewellery, also highlighted the importance of standards and hall marking of Ghana’s minerals.
This year’s conference was on the theme: Growing Partnerships in the Gold Jewellery and Gemstone Industry Across Africa and Beyond – The way Forward.
Officially endorsed, as a Beyond the Return December in Ghana activity by the Ghana Tourism Authority, the conference saw stakeholders share ideas on how to promote collaboration among industry players for the advancement of responsible mining and jewellery making.
Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, Ehunabobrim Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, said the huge returns in adding value to the country’s mineral should be the determining factor for the country’s leaders to prioritize the needs of the industry.
“Very little help has come from central government on the addition of value to raw materials and those who are pushing for this are getting tired. If we continue like this, the international community will always take us for granted and continue to cheat us, because we do not have confidence in ourselves,” he noted.
He threw a challenge to government to support Ghanaian jewelers.
He said “Government should challenge jewelers with 5 million dollars’ worth of Gold, ask them to add value and see what they will do with it.”
Board Chairperson of the Minerals Commission, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, called for collaboration between the Commission and the Jewelers Association to showcase their artifacts, share ideas and strategies to enhance the growth and development of Ghana’s mining industry.
She acknowledged that value addition will enable Ghana to derive maximum returns from gold production.
Chief Executive Officer of Rapport Services, initiators of the event, Madam Judy Crayem, reiterated their commitment to working with their partners to train jewelers to make them competitive on both the local and international market.
She announced the opening of a lapidary workshop to train Ghanaians in the act of stone cutting and polishing gemstones.
“Our vision is to ensure that the gold we produce in Ghana becomes value added so that we can make more money out of it”, she noted.
She indicated that proper standards coupled with the establishment of the Accra Gold and Jewellery Park Project, will make the jewellery business thrive.
Chief Executive of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof Alex Dodoo said, the authority is determined to enforce its standards for testing gold and jewellery in order to make the country’s gold products competitive.
Some exhibitors, expressed their zeal to broaden their network with new clients and reconnect with old ones in addition to making some sales at the Gold Statement Conference.
