Minister urges Australia to partner Ghana

Accra, March 3, GNA - Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, on Tuesday called on the Australian government to join hands with Ghana in the its reforestation programmes of destroyed lands in mining communities.

He said the level of degradation due to mining activities needed urgent attention, adding; "mining should not only be considered as taking the minerals from the soil, but also a commitment to repair the damage afterwards".

Alhaji Dauda made the call when the Australian High Commissioner, Mr William Williams, paid a courtesy call on him in his office to reaffirm the commitment of his government to Ghana in the area of mining and also

assure the ministry of continuous partnership in other areas to enhance national development. The Minister said it was important to focus on reforestation, especially in mining areas, where the land and vegetation had been destroyed by mining activities, leading to the loss of livelihood of most people living in such communities. He urged the High Commissioner to visit some of the mining communities to ascertain the level of degradation of both the land and forest areas, to enable them to develop appropriate strategies of reforestation.

Alhaji Dauda said the Ministry would collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure environmental quality in all mining areas. Mr. Williams pledged his government's continuous collaboration with Ghana and said since there was a large number of Australian mining companies operating in the country, it was proper that his government partnered government to promote acceptable standards and ensure environmental quality.

He accepted the challenge to visit some of the mining areas to practically witness the operations of the mining companies and also look at the level of land and forest degradation to be able to recommend appropriate measures of reforestation.