Mireku Duker engages Tanzanian delegation on Ghana's value addition, gold for oil policies

The transformative works of the government in the mining sector continues to make waves around the continent with several countries visiting Ghana, particularly the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to understudy and assimilate Ghana’s success story.

The latest country to pay a knowledge-acquiring visit to Ghana is Tanzania who have sent a three-member delegation to Ghana to engage the Government through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and other relevant institutions on Ghana’s impressive situation.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Hon. George Mireku Duker, MP, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines hosted the team led by Archard Kalugendo, the Assistant Commissioner of Mines at the Tanzania Ministry of Minerals.

During the meeting, Hon. George Mireku Duker espoused the unique features of Ghana’s mining industry that makes a sustainable and revenue generation sector capable of funding key government initiatives.

He commended the Tanzanian Ministry for taking steps to learn from established and experienced industry like Ghana, noting that as an emerging giants in the mining sector, it is imperative that Tanzania opens itself to knowledge sharing and support from countries like Ghana who are renowned for resource harnessing policies.

He disclosed that Ghana’s mining industry is currently on a path toward complete refinement of discovered resources and that it is an ambition of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to make Ghana the hub of value addition in the West African sub-region.

Hon. Duker revealed through the establishment of Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC), Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel ( GIISDEC) and others, the dream is in the final stage of being actualized.

He also shed light on the Gold For Oil Policy which has been a significant intervention in the efforts to strengthen against other currencies.

He commended the delegation for indicating their interest in learning from the innovative policy, noting that it could be a gamechanger in their economy.

The Deputy Minister assured the delegation and by extension other African countries of the openness by Ghana to share knowledge, resources and experience with the aim of improving the sector.

The leader of the Tanzanian delegation, expressed gratitude to Hon. Mireku Duker for what he considers to be valuable tips and said Ghana has a big brother role to play in helping African countries advance from mere mineral production to value addition.

He was particularly excited with the value addition by Ghana and said that the time has come for African countries to chart the same path as Ghana as it is the only the countries can enjoy the full benefits of their resources.

Mr Archard Kalugendo was in the company of Bahati Minja, ADFM, office of Treasury, Registrar and Joseph Ngulumwa- a Geologist Ministry of Minerals.