West African beneficiaries of Australian-funded mining programmes have engaged in a forum dubbed “Investing in West African mining for sustainable regional development,” to discuss issues of sustainable mine development in the sub-region.
The Alumni Forum, which centred on mining and mining governance, focused on themes of investment promotion, regulatory frameworks and incentives, political risks, social license to operate, local content, and transparency of information.
Mr Andrew Barnes, Australian High Commissioner, in a statement by the Alumni, said Australia was pleased to support development of necessary skills in Ghana through various scholarship programmes and exchanges.
He was hopeful that through studies and experiences in Australia, the Australian alumni would bring cutting-edge knowledge and skills to their jobs in the mining industry to the huge benefit of their countries.
The High Commissioner noted that Ghana had much untapped natural resource potential, which could drive employment and growth, and set Ghana up for a strong future.
“That is why we are very encouraged by the Akufo-Addo government’s commitment to implement the economic and social reforms required to produce jobs and growth,” he added.
According to the statement, “Australia has had a long history of providing capacity-building support to countries across Africa,” to promote knowledge sharing and understanding of mine-related challenges and opportunities in the region to ensure sustainable development.
Mr Peter Amewu, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, said government had developed a five year Multilateral Mining Integrated Project to solve the illegal mining menace in the country.
He added that components of the project would “deal with law enforcement, alternative livelihood, geological investigation of mining lands to determine mineralisation on mining lands and demarcating areas for groups to mine sustainably”.
The Minister said government was also considering re-categorisation of mining into artisanal, small and medium-scale mining, explaining that the medium scale sub-sector would be open to foreigners to partner Ghanaians in a joint venture arrangement with specified set of regulations.
The Alumni Forum was “a significant opportunity to develop and strengthen the partnership between Australia and West Africa in this important sector,” the statement said.
Alumni representing governments, civil society, academia and industry from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Togo and other West African states were present at the event.
The forum was organised by a team of West African alumni and hosted by Australia’s Minerals and Energy for Development Alliance (MEfDA) with support by the Australian Government.
Source: GNA
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