INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CONFERENCE.
Theme: “Boosting Investments in sustainable Forestry, Forest Carbon and Renewable Energy.”
According to Michael Jenkins, CEO of Forest Trends and moderator at the conference, “A national emission scheme must be developed by Ghana.” He made this suggestion during the conference at the Lapalm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra. Perhaps this can be lined to the already existing module of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Again, Jane Feehan, a representative of the European Investment Bank and a natural resources specialist made mentioned that the first partnership agreement on illegal logging was first signed with Ghana and the EU. Thus, Ghana became the thrill blazer in this regard. She went on further to state that the EIB Bank is ready to invest in Ghana’s economy as well as provide funds in the form of venture capitals to local companies whose core values is to create environmental awareness on climate change. The EUs effort to tackle illegal logging must be emphasized.
One can safely say that funding is good. However, at the end of the day, do multinationals consider the sustainability of these projects towards contributing positively to preserving the environment? There is sometimes a lack of understanding of the requirements from multinationals to these local companies.
Furthermore, projects must comply with the equator principles to meet standards regarding the environment. Companies on their part demand greater transparency in the selection process but in a sharp rebuttal, multinationals reassured that due diligence is done on projects proposals and said that sustainability is key and must be around as long as the project is around.
-Story by Malise Otoo.
GHANA'S EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE REGIONAL CONFERENCE HELD.
The Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has organised this years Regional conference on the theme,"Natural
Resource Governance,Setting standards with EITI." The conference was held from the 27th-28th September, 2012 at the Lapalm Royal Beach Hotel. Participants were drown from Government ministries, the private sector, civil society, chiefs among others.Deliberations included the need to improve the standard on the governance of effective EITI strategies.
The program begun with a brief address by the chairman, Naa Prof. John Nabila, President of the National House of Chiefs, Ghana where he mentioned that EITI was announced by the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Ghana, Nigeria, Azaberjan led the way in its formation.35 countries adobted it thereafter. The initiative was therefore formed in South Africa in 2002.He however mentioned that,"Information is the basis of a well functioning system."
Again, open remarks were made by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Kwadwo Owusu-Agyemang on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Dr.Kwabena Duffour where he mentioned among other things that the extractive industry contributes about 12.7% of GDP,2.3% of corporate tax and has 27,000 people working in the sector. 500,000 people are engaged in small scale mining in this country alone. A number one finds frightening. He went further to state that the Mining Revenue Management Act has come to the notice of government and is currently being considered by cabinet. If passed by parliament, Ghana will now have a revenue management act which will see the mining development fund come into force just like the Petroleum Revenue Management Act. But he was quick to add that "EITI is not a magic bullet." He suggested further that a legal framework must be developed to ensure that all actors in the industry play by the rules of the game.
In her closing remarks for the conference, Dr.Esther Ofie-Aboakye speaking under the topic, establishment of regional EITI co-operation suggested the creation of a continental body to increase the frontiers of the activites of all EITIs in a collaborated effort toward sustainability.
-Story by Malise Otoo.
THE 10TH WEST AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL MINING CONFERENCE OPENS IN ACCRA,JUNE 6TH-8TH JUNE, 2012.
The 10th edition of WAMPEX have been opened today 6th June, 2012 and it will be running until 8TH June, 2012. It is being organised by Exhibiton Management Services Limited from Johannesburg, South Africa in (EMS) conjunction with Events and Projects International Limited(EPI).Media Partners include African Energy, African Review of Business and Technology, Mining Decisions, MBendi Africa Industrial,Middle East Plant and Equipment,Mining Mirror,The Africa Report , Africa Energy Journal, African Mining and Trade Invest Africa.
There are about 107 exhibitors currently at the conference for the event from 10 countries around the globe.
The event was opened with a Welcome address by Events and Projects Int. Ltd.Daniel Owiredu,President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and Vice President,Africa of Golden Star Resources was the Chairperson.
Again, the keynote address was delivered by the Hon. Mike Hammah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources,Ghana on the topic Deeping Partnerships for Sustainable Development of Ghana's Mineral Resources.He mentioned among other things that the doors of Ghana is opened to investors in the Mining Industry and emphazise the point that the government will assist any company in this regard to start operations in the country so far as they meet regulatory procedures.This was followed by a presentation by Vodafone,then one by Imani Ghana,then the morning session came to an end with the Chairmans remarks.
After Lunch,there was a presentation by Anglogold Ashanti, then a topic on Enabling safe mining operations under large open pit high walls-Charlie Whyman,Business Development Manager, 3D Laser Mapping Ltd.
The LCA Ghana took a center stage in deeping the partnership between conservation and mining, a paper delivered by Dr.Gwendolyn Wellman,Head of Sustainable Development West Africa,Gold Fields.This ended the first session.
There was a Networking session at 1:30pm with various Country Reports such as Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Niger,Mali and Senegal. The Chairperson for this was Ben Aryee, Chief Executive, Ghana Mineral Commission.
The day ended with a discussion forum with a cocktail hosted by Nexans Kabelmetal at 6pm.
DAY 2.
Day 2 started with a presentation by Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah) Deputy Minister for Energy, Ghana on the topic Deeping Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Ghana's Energy Sector. He mentioned among other things that as part of the government of Ghana’s effort to increase the production of Energy and its efficiency, 19 Standard Feet of gas is expected to come in from Nigeria by close of the year 2012 to augment the supply of electricity. Dr.Toni Aubynn, CEO, of Ghana Chamber of Mines was the chairperson for this session. Then, there was a paper by the Ghana EITI Secretariat on the Transparency in the receipts and utilization of natural resources-a key to sustainable development. This was followed by a presentation on behalf of the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Mr.Alhassan Andani.
There were discussions, questions and
answers and refreshment break.
Ben Addoo of Keegan Resources was the Chairperson. And there was a presentation by ESB International from Ireland on Sustainable Electrical Network Design. There was also a presentation by the CEO of Volta River Authority, Mr. Kweku Awotwi on Renewable Energy: Prospects and Challenges for its exploitation in Ghana.
Building a trust with communities-A critical Investment was also discussed by Esther Cobbah, CEO, Stratcomm Africa.
She defended the case that Mining companies should and must add Corporate Social Responsibility to their work and local content thus engaging more with the community by empowering them and equipping them to add value to their lives.
Again, Dr. Joyce Aryee, former CEO of Ghana Chamber of Mines presented a paper on the topic “Partnership with Government and Communities for Sustainable Resource”. She was very explicit in her report that this was very crucial to the development of a nation like Ghana where natural resources abound.
There were several players in the industry including Nexans, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Multi-Tech Services (WA) Ltd, Golder Associates, Eriks International, Vodafone, Newmont, Allightsykes, Wire Weaving Industries (Ghana) Limited, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Minerals Commission, Volta River Authority, Stanbic Bank among others.
Story by Malise Otoo.
