Day: May 19, 2023

Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has stated small-scale mining has been contributing increasingly to the nation’s gold output as the sector produced a total of 712,405 ounces of gold last year.

He said it brought to the nation almost US$1,200,000,000 in export receipts, adding that all diamonds produced in the country in 2022, which amounted to 82,251.99 carats and generated US$3,900,000 in revenue were from small-scale mining.

Mr Jinapor made the statement when he was speaking at the opening of a two-day transformational dialogue on artisanal and small-scale mining under the theme, ‘Sustaining Environmental Security and Human Rights in Small Scale Mining Operations in Ghana’ at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality.

The programme, initiated by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to deliberate on the issue and jointly make efforts towards a common direction.

It was attended by politicians, traditional leaders, students, members, and staff of the UENR, artisans and small-scale miners, civil society actors, representatives of large-scale mining companies and the media.

Mr Jinapor said the small-scale mining sector had been the source of employment for thousands of people and supported the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens.

But he added the increasing illegalities associated with the sector and resulting in the destruction of the environment remained a national challenge that required collaborative effort to end the menace.

Mr Jinapor said the government’s effort to clamp down on galamsey had been met with resistance because of the greedy and unscrupulous nation-wreckers destroying the environment for their personal interests.

He said the government in addressing the threat of illegal mining had introduced policies and measures under the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP) to provide alternative sources of income and livelihood to persons engaged in the menace.

In that regard several young men and women had been employed in the production of seedlings and reclamation of degraded mined lands in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western North Regions, the Minister added.

He said the Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship module of the Programme was expected to be rolled out later this year to provide training for 5,000 youth in agriculture, technical, vocational, industrial, and mining skills.

Mr Jinapor , therefore, commended the UENR for introducing several novel programmes, including bachelor and graduate programmes in Sustainable Mining, Land Degradation Neutrality and Sustainable Land Management aimed at promoting sustainable mining and environmental protection.

The effort needed a hands-on-deck approach to promoting sustainable resources extraction practices and transforming mined lands into viable lands for agricultural purposes, he said and called for intensification of education on responsible and sustainable mining practices.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Angolan head of State João Lourenço has authorised the construction of the 220 kV electricity transmission line Gove-Chipindo-Cuvango, whose expenditure will cost more than 196 million euros.

The information, published in the Official Gazette, adds that the aforementioned power transmission line will have a length of 175 kilometers, including the respective substations, and refers to the Cassinga mining project.

The expenditure authorisation is contained in Dispatch number 99/23 of 9 May, which directs the opening of the Simplified Contracting Procedure for the implementation of the project, estimated at 196.7 million euros.

The contract will be in charge of the Turkish company Pak Yatirim Insaat Sanayi Ve Tcaret A.S, LCC, which was in charge of the project’s feasibility studies.

The Presidential Order authorises the Minister of Energy and Water, with the power to sub-delegate, to carry out decision-making acts and supervisory approval, including the preparation of procedural documents, the adjudication, celebration and signature of the contract with the Turkish company.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Angolan minister of Interior Eugénio César Laborinho Friday in Luanda appealed to young people to respect the instituted authorities, avoiding insults and contempt.

Delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the conference on “The role of youth in public security”, the minister regretted the fact that in recent times there have been some cases of disrespect against State authorities.

He quoted the example of popularization of the image and good name of public entities, as well as natural persons in terms of social networks.

In the field of public security, Eugénio César Laborinho called for the participation of all young people in social actions and strategies aimed at creating a harmonious and stable environment in the country.

“The future of our security depends on us, both national and foreign citizens, businessmen, politicians, religious, social activists and academics”, he underlined.

As for the debate on the theme of the meeting, the minister considered it a foundation for building a strong and cohesive society, based on diversity, difference and mutual respect.

In this context, he urged young people to refrain from taking justice into their own hands, as well as acts that put their physical integrity and their own lives at risk, such as the excessive use of alcohol, drugs, prostitution and feuds.

Participating in the conference on “The role of youth in public security”, secretaries of State, National Police commanders, MPs of the National Assembly and young people from youth movements.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

The Seychelles’ government has expressed its deep concern with the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the resulting humanitarian crisis and calls on the international community to support the northeastern African country in its efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict.

In a press communique on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “We strongly condemn the use of violence and call for an immediate end to the hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in the loss of life of hundreds of innocent civilians, the displacement of hundreds of thousands more and the destruction of critical infrastructure.”

The communique said, “The crisis in Sudan is now in its fifth week with seemingly no end in sight. We join the international community in calling on all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

“The people of Sudan deserve to live in peace and security, and we urge all parties to respect their rights and protect their safety. We further urge the SAF and the RSF to respect and abide by the ceasefire agreements mediated by the United Nations, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and other parties concerned,” it added further.

Seychelles calls on the international community to support Sudan in its efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the conflict and urges all parties to respect international law and to ensure that humanitarian aid can be delivered safely and unhindered to those who need it.

The communique said that Seychelles is committed to the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as to peace and stability on the African continent.

“Our position on the conflict in Sudan is unambiguously aligned with that of the African Union and the United Nations. In light of this, the government of Seychelles calls on the SAF and the RSF to come to the negotiating table with the objective of finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Sudan,” it added.

According to the Aljazeera news network, since fighting erupted in Sudan on April 15, at least 528 people have been confirmed killed and 4,599 wounded although casualties are likely much higher.

Source: Seychelles News Agency