Africa has called for it to restructure its mining sector in order to reap the benefits
Africa has been urged to restructure and regulate its mining and small-scale mining sector in order to bring significant benefits to the continent.
According to Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), a 2020 World Bank report found that nine million people on the continent rely on small-scale mines.
He said Africa could bring greater, higher and desirable benefits to mining, adding that it would strengthen the continent to address its development deficits and promote faster socio-economic growth, if the Heads of State did well and managed the sector effectively. way.
Prof. Asare-Bediako offered this advice while delivering his address at the opening of a two-day transformation conference on small, ongoing mines in Fiapre, near Sunyani.
As part of its 10th anniversary, UENR is organizing this discussion to build a practical, scientific and holistic approach to address the emerging challenges facing the small and medium-sized mining sectors in the country.
The dialogue has the theme “Improving Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Addressing the Challenges of the Arts and Small Mines, as well as the Transformation of Sustainable Action Centers in Ghana”.
It was attended by academics, Members of Parliament, civil society organizations and actors as well as miners and miners, traditional leaders and regulators in the mining sector.
Prof. Asare-Bediako described small and medium-sized mines as a global operation in Asia and Africa, but regretted that despite Asia's huge profits, Africa continued to face the hardships of illegal mining, and the destruction of river and forest resources. .
There is therefore a need for dialogue to help the country improve its performance in the sector so that Ghana can reap the desired benefits of the sector.
Mrs. Gifty Twum-Ampofo, the Deputy Minister of Education, regrets that despite its negative consequences, successive governments have not taken a firm stand against illegal mining in the country.
He said God had blessed Ghana with everything it needed to succeed, and it was still important for the nation to control its natural resources for development.
Mrs. Twum-Ampofo said that while there is great potential for creating direct and indirect jobs for local people, the negative effects of illegal mining on the nation are still great, which is why there is a need for stronger and stronger efforts to address this scourge.
He said the government was committed to fighting illegal mines, but added that it was unfortunate that the government's efforts to respond to and deal with illegal miners in the country had been a challenge.
Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, Chairperson of the Minerals Commission explained that the Commission has done a number of things to help clean up the small-scale mining sector, including the implementation of the Community Mining Program.
The Scheme, which explains, seeks to identify, register, support and facilitate the activities of illegal miners in local communities.
Ms Oteng-Gyasi said the Commission was also negotiating with commercial banks to provide financial support so that illegal miners could access and facilitate their mining operations.
Earlier in the welcome address, Prof Kwasi Nsiah-Gyabaah, Chairman of the Executive Council of the UENR noted that despite its many benefits to the nation, mining communities continue to thrive as local people suffer from the effects of illegal mining.
He expressed the hope that the dialogue would help to develop practical strategies to deal with illegal mining and to promote sustainable mining.
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