The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr. Suleman Koney on Monday 29th March called on the Western Regional Minister Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko- Mensah in his office at the Regional Coordinating Office, Sekondi.
Mr. Koney used the opportunity to congratulate the minister on his reappointment to lead the region. While at it, he underscored the importance the Chamber of Mines attached to the development of the Western Region, considering that Ghana derives most of its mineral and agricultural resources from the region. He therefore announced his readiness for a strategic plan with stakeholders to develop the region.
“…to achieve this height there should be a comprehensive plan between the chamber and the minister’s outfit to come out with a strategy to explore the linkage opportunities within the western region,” he added.
The Western Regional Minister who also doubles as MP for Takoradi, Dr. Darko-Mensah was delighted to receive the Chamber of Mines. He was even more delighted about the Chamber’s thought of collaboration with the regional administration to make the region a better place to live.
He used the opportunity to outline the things that have influenced his governance style in positioning the Western Region as the model region of Ghana, based on 3 pillars; Entrepreneurial Governance System, Enterprise Western Region and mainstreaming the youth throughout the SDG’s so that the youth can benefit.
“I am particularly happy that you have asked that we do some kind of a development plan. I want to assure you that we have a plan. Our plan is straightforward. We want to see a region that is spatially balanced, economically diversified and that which is environmentally friendly, and I strongly believe that you should immediately get to work to make sure this plan is put together and running,” he added.
He was happy to announce that he has set up the Sekondi-Takoradi financial services hub for mining support services, Agric processing, manufacturing and making western region a hub for oil and gas industry. He revealed that government has awarded a 100 million dollars contract for the commencement of the dual carriage road from Takoradi to Tarkwa and called on the mining industries to collaborate in completion of the project.
He advised that the Chamber should set up a fund in the Western Region as part of the mining support service to facilitate mining projects within the region.
Responding to the Minister’s suggestion for a Fund, Mr Koney indicated that while it is a laudable idea, mining companies cannot set up such a Fund. He however stated that the Chamber has been engaging the Ghana Association of Bankers to identify innovative ways to support mine support services with access to competitive funding. This he believed will stimulate growth among mine support service providers and create more value for the economy.