Ghana will become a jewellery production hub in Africa - Mahama

President John Mahama has declared government’s intention to add value to Ghana’s mineral resources to ensure the country derives maximum benefits.

In this regard, President Mahama has revealed the vision of his administration to turn the country into a jewellery production center for Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration of a $110 million gold refinery, the Gold Coast Refinery Limited at Airport, Accra, Mahama commended owners of the company adding that it has come at an opportune time.

“Our next step after commissioning of this refinery is also to make Ghana into a jewellery production center for Africa. Working with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, we intend to establish a jewellery production village at Tepa in the Ashanti region of Ghana.”

President Mahama charged owners of the refinery to assist government in achieving its vision of adding value to the country’s gold.

“It is my hope that this group can work with us to achieve that vision that I have just espoused. I look forward to other such centers being established in other parts of the country to make Ghana truly worth our former name of Gold Coast.”

The Gold Coast Refinery [GC Refinery] Ghana Limited has the capacity to refine raw dust and scrap gold and other precious metals up to 180 metric tons per annum, in a single shift production.

The refinery is the first of its kind to be established in Ghana and West Africa. It is also the second largest in Africa.

The company is expected to provide 300 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs.

President Mahama also charged managers, workers and owners to work towards the sustainability of the facility and also to ensure the country benefits.

He added that government has created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive as recognized by the World Bank doing business report.

GC refinery has Banking and Financial Services {BAFIS}, Euroget Group of investors and local shareholders as its owners.