The envoys from China, Australia, and the United States of America (USA), have paid separate courtesy calls on Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to express their support for the government’s mining sector policies.
Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, first to pay the courtesy call on the Minister, said the Chinese government was impressed by President John Mahama’s government’s policies and plans to reform the mining sector, and expressed its preparedness to collaborate with Ghana towards implementing innovative policies.
Mr Defa stated that the Chinese government had been a strategic partner to the Ghana government over the years and expressed its readiness to aid Ghana’s transformation agenda.
“We have been supporting each other in areas of bilateral trade and our cooperation continues to flourish,” Mr Defa stated.
“China enjoys being the largest trading partner for Ghana. We remain one of the biggest investors in Ghana. I am happy Gnana President attended our event and delivered an encouraging speech, assuring us that Ghana’s doors are opened to Chinese investors for business,” he stated.
“We are very glad and dedicated to continuing this strong relationship. We regard Ghana as a strategic partner, and our interest covers all areas. We are willing and ready to align with the agenda of President Mahama,” Mr Defa assured.
Mr Buah, on his part, recalled the historic bilateral relations between Ghana and China, dating back to Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The Lands Minister used the occasion to explain the government’s policies such as the ‘Tree for Life and ‘Blue Water’ initiatives.
The minister was of the belief that the initiatives present opportunities for Chinese investors to tap into a new market and generate benefits.
Mr Buah highlighted the government’s plan to shift from resource production base to resource refinement, where value addition would be pivotal.
Noting that there were plans by the government to revamp VALCO and entreated interested investors to take advantage of the opportunity thereof.
He stated that the promotion of legal and sustainable mining activities was among the priority areas for the government
“The Chinese, Australian and US investors can trust the government of Ghana to create the necessary legal framework for their investment to thrive, especially in the mining and forestry sub-sectors.
The Minister gave the assurance of the government’s determination to continue partnering with the Chinese, Australian, and USA governments for their mutual benefit.
Mr Buah also welcomed Ms Berenice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, and emphasised Ghana and Australia’s collaborative work in the mining sector and pledged to carry it to a higher level.
The Minister outlined the challenges confronting the country’s mining industry and appealed for support from the Australian government and investor community to deal with the challenge.
Madam Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, indicated the Australian government’s preparedness to provide personnel, and logistical support to Ghana as it navigates through the illegal small-scale mining scourge.
Meanwhile, Ms Virginia E. Palmer, the USA Ambassador to Ghana, congratulated the Lands Minister on his appointment and discussed ways of deepening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and the USA.
The Minister, in his response, admitted the importance of collaborating with the US government to improve Ghana’s forest management, especially programmes such as women in afforestation.
Mr Buah said the government, through the Lands Ministry, would revive and sanitise the mining sector to boost productivity and value addition.