ECOWAS To Adopt Mining Code

Measures are being adopted to find modalities to improve upon standardisation within the mining sector. In this regard, International Non-Governmental Organisations, Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM) and OXFAM have organised a three-day workshop on the planning of a common mining code for the sub-region.

The ECOWAS Mining Code Campaign Planning is aimed at enhancing healthy competition and harmonising a code that will run through the whole of the sub-region.

The code, when harmonised and adopted, will help strengthen the relationship between mining countries for best practices in the region.

The Chief Executive Officer of WACAM, Mr Owusu Koranteng, said, 'over the years the mining situation in Ghana and the sub-region has not been a pleasant one at all and it was high time the region woke up for the legitimate things to be done'.

He was optimistic that the proposed drafted mining code will help harmonise and unify mining countries in ECOWAS to insist on best practices in mining that will be favorable to them when finally adopted.

He urged participants at the workshop to look out for opportunities and platforms to help in advocating the harmonisation of the mining code for the development of ECOWAS countries.