By Belinda Nketia
The Global Mining Summit opened today with a pointed call for Africa to confront the paradox at the heart of its mining sector: why, in an age of science and technology, does illicit mining continue to ravage communities, and why does the continent remain trapped in poverty despite its immense mineral wealth?
These two critical questions, as revealed by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in his foundational address at the ongoing Global mining summit, is what framed the summit’s agenda and set the tone for an urgent reimagining of Africa’s mining future.
“In the answers to these questions, I hope this assembly will open a new page in the African narrative”, he said.
In his opening remarks, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II acknowledged President John Dramani Mahama’s “energy, creativity, and insights” in championing a reset of Ghana’s economic priorities, including a more sustainable approach to mining.
Otumfuo also noted that, “the record of our first half century of independence has been unremarkable to say the least. We cannot persist with failure into the last quarter of the century. The world is telling us that it is crunch time for our beloved continent.”
“We must not let ourselves be distracted by the pitfalls of illicit mining,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II urged. “This dialogue is our chance to break the poverty trap and open a new page in the African narrative.”
“Indeed, the cherished friendships within the gold council encourage me to dare to think that we can work together to herald a new era of equity in shared prosperity,” he concluded
The summit, gathering policymakers, traditional leaders, and industry players from around the world, aims to chart a new course for mining that addresses the scourge of illicit activities and positions Africa to fully harness its mineral potential.
