The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, has reiterated the commitment of the government to partner the mining industry to stimulate broad-based sustainable growth for transformation of the economy.
He said the government would continue to explore opportunities in the industry to promote linkages and integration across the supply chain and synergies with the rest of the local economy.
Mr Asomah-Cheremeh was speaking at the 6th edition of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards (GMIA) organized by the Ghana Chamber of Mines to celebrate outstanding achievements of mining, which is a key contributor to the Ghanaian economy.
He commended the Chamber for its invaluable and continuous contribution to the development of the Ghanaian mining industry and towards the development of the communities through various projects and initiatives.
The Minister said despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Ghanaian economy, the government remained expectant that the sector would improve on last year’s production of over four million ounces.
He commended the adoption of sound strategies and consistent investment through exploration, injection of technology and innovation, human resources development into the operation of existing mines over the period.
“With this approach, coupled with the restart of the operation by AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine, and given the fact that production in Ghana was not suspended during the peak of the COVID-19, Government is confident that the industry will maintain its growth trajectory,” he added.
Mr Asomah-Cheremeh said the current global economic downturn had made it even more imperative for the government to strengthen its policies on the extractives to support the wider transformation and socio-economic development of the people.
President of the Chamber, Mr Eric Asubonteng, praised the resilience of Ghanaian mining companies for putting robust measures in place to contain the COVID-19.
He said despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, mining companies proved that effective management of the workplace was a sure way to safeguard the health and safety of staff as well as host communities.
“There is no better time to deepen relations with stakeholders, particularly the government, to create a shared value for investors, communities and the state. We will continue to adopt novel ideas and best practice to help national economic growth priorities” he stated.
He urged Ghanaians to ensure that the reputation of Ghana as an oasis of peace in the sub-region is maintained during and after the 7th December 2020 national presidential and parliamentary elections.
