Chamber of mines calls on three ministers

Dr. Toni Aubynn, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, says a strong linkage between the mining and agriculture sectors could boost socio-economic development.

 “Both sectors could maintain a complementary relationship by always replanting degraded mining areas and producing food crops around mining communities.

“This would not only boost agricultural production to feed the populace but also create jobs for the youth. Both sectors could stand on a common ground,” he said.

Dr. Aubynn said this when he led a delegation of executives from the chamber to pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Clement Kofi Humado in Accra
“We need to establish stronger links between agriculture and mining.”

He congratulated the minister on his new appointment and promised to find out how best both sectors could collaborate for their mutual benefit.

Mr. Humado, receiving the delegation, said efforts must be made to ensure that mining communities maintain a good environment -- so that even after mining activities have stopped on a particular land it could still be used for agricultural purposes.

“It was important for national and district assemblies to recognise the link between the two sectors and mainstream them into the assembly system. An agreement can be worked out for the collaboration involving most local government institutions.”

He said both sectors can establish a strong relationship between themselves and complement each other, adding that it is the duty of both parties to ensure success of the collaboration becomes a shared responsibility.

In a related development, the chamber also paid a courtesy call on Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Trade and Industry, on his assumption of office and expressed the willingness of the Mining sector to work closely with the Ghanaian government for development.

Dr. Aubynn, who led the delegation, said there had been excessive focus on revenue for the mining sector and advocated its integration into the entire economy, since mining serves as a catalyst for national development.

Dr. Aubynn assured the Minister that the Chamber will be ever-willing to support and collaborate for the benefit of all.

Mr. Iddrisu, on receiving the delegation, revealed that government will soon launch a national policy on corporate social responsibility in the mining sector.

The policy, he said, will define the parameters by which the mining and other corporate entities operate to improve the livelihoods of people within their catchment area.

Mr. Iddrisu assured of his readiness to deepen the relationship with the Chamber of Mines and said that his doors are open for dialogue in finding ways of addressing some of the challenges in the industry.

He said the mining sector has been contributing immensely to development of the country in areas of foreign exchange and employment, and that government will continue to support the sector to ensure its growth.

The delegation later called on Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, Minister of Education, to congratulate her on her new appointment and find out how best the ministry could collaborate with the Chamber of Mines for the development of education.