Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Mining sector holds potential for economy



The Australia High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Joanna Adamson, says the country’s mining sector can be of economic power to the nation and wealth to the people if prudently managed.

“The mining sector could be an engine for wealth, with the involvement of experts providing technical advice on managing resources,” she said.
Ms Adamson made this known in Accra after the Commission hosted four Australian Volunteers for the International Development Programme in the country.

The volunteers will work with the United Nations University Institute of Natural Resource Management In Africa, Friend of the Nation, and Africa Women International for a year.

Ms Adamson said the volunteers will share their technical expertise and contribute to improve Ghana’s development in areas of governance in the extractive sector and environmental management.

She said their expertise will also help promote sustainable livelihoods for women by offering them skills in research, monitoring and evaluation as well as public communications.

She said Australia is supporting Ghana’s efforts in the mining and agriculture sectors with the provision of expertise, taking into account the African Union’s Mining Vision in practice.

Australia is also assisting Ghana in the management of maritime security. Ms Adamson said as part of the Australian government’s cooperation with Ghana, the Commission is providing scholarships dubbed Australia Awards for graduates from Ghana to pursue programmes on mining, agriculture, public sector administration, health and education.

She explained that the Australian volunteers help to strengthen Australia’s partnership with Ghana, adding that at present 23 Australian volunteers are located in six regions providing services.

Investment in volunteers has been part of Australia’s larger strategy to support agricultural productivity, effective governance of mineral resources, and to promote shared long-term prosperity in Ghana, Ms Adamson said.

Since 2010, the Australian government had funded more than 75 professional volunteers, and supporting about 20 volunteers in a year under its Volunteers for International Development Programme through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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