Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The Minister of Mines, Mrs Cecilia Bannerman, arrived in Accra on Monday evening after leading a five-man government delegation to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the launch of the 9th African Mining Partnership conference.
In a brief chat with journalist at the airport, the minister said the conference which lasted from February 10th to 12th 2004, was preceded by a two-day conference of African mining ministers. She said the African Mining Partnership (AMP) conference, which formed an aspect of the new Partnership for African Development, was attended by 21 African ministers.
Mrs Bannerman said the main aim of the conference was to bring together African mining ministers to collaborate and find ways of improving upon mining on the continent.
She said promoting foreign investment as well as indigenous participation in mining, minimising the effects of mining on the environment, artisans and small-scale mining, human resource development and adding more value to the mining sector were the major issues discussed.
Mrs Bannerman said it was resolved at the close of the meeting that global discussions on mining in Africa should mainly be spear headed by African ministers.
She presented a paper on investment opportunities in the mining sector of Ghana as well as achievements the country had made so far within the sector.
Mrs Bannerman said Ghana was elected to chair the Executive Committee of the AMP with Mali being the Vice Chairman and South Africa the secretariat.
She said a representative each was chosen from Egypt for North Africa, the Central Africa, Republic of Congo, Nigeria for West Africa, Namibia for Southern Africa, and Ethiopia for East Africa.
Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The Minister of Mines, Mrs Cecilia Bannerman, arrived in Accra on Monday evening after leading a five-man government delegation to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the launch of the 9th African Mining Partnership conference.
In a brief chat with journalist at the airport, the minister said the conference which lasted from February 10th to 12th 2004, was preceded by a two-day conference of African mining ministers. She said the African Mining Partnership (AMP) conference, which formed an aspect of the new Partnership for African Development, was attended by 21 African ministers.
Mrs Bannerman said the main aim of the conference was to bring together African mining ministers to collaborate and find ways of improving upon mining on the continent.
She said promoting foreign investment as well as indigenous participation in mining, minimising the effects of mining on the environment, artisans and small-scale mining, human resource development and adding more value to the mining sector were the major issues discussed.
Mrs Bannerman said it was resolved at the close of the meeting that global discussions on mining in Africa should mainly be spear headed by African ministers.
She presented a paper on investment opportunities in the mining sector of Ghana as well as achievements the country had made so far within the sector.
Mrs Bannerman said Ghana was elected to chair the Executive Committee of the AMP with Mali being the Vice Chairman and South Africa the secretariat.
She said a representative each was chosen from Egypt for North Africa, the Central Africa, Republic of Congo, Nigeria for West Africa, Namibia for Southern Africa, and Ethiopia for East Africa.
