Chamber Of Mines Outdoors Locally-Built Edifice

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has officially outdoored its office complex designed and built by a local contractor, Universal Prestige Company (UPC).

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Benito Owusu Bio touts the office building as a lifetime commemorative monument for the mining industry.

The sector minister said it is not a mere coincidence that soon after Ghana became the topmost producer of gold, this magnificent building is being inaugurated.

He noted that the mining industry remains key enabler of industrialization and broad-base economic development of the country.

Despite its contribution to Ghana’s GDP, Hon. Benito Owusu Bio urges the Chamber to continue to create the needed partnerships that bring the kind of benefits to be associated with blossoming mining industry.

“My ministry is also continuing to partner local assemblies to improve infrastructure development in mining areas through the Minerals Development Fund,” he stated.

The sector minister urges companies to support local assemblies with the needed expertise in undertaking projects under the Minerals Development Fund to help improve the lives of their host communities.

Hon. Benito Owusu Bio commended the Chamber for the Tertiary Education Fund which is aimed to transform research and education in the mining industry.

“Such enduring initiatives will go a long way to complement government’s free senior high school education for innovation and ideation in our country,” he intimated.

President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng noted that it has been a major ambition of the Chamber to construct an office complex to house what they believe is the centre for mining information in Ghana.

According to him, the chamber thrives on churning out a wealth of knowledge and information to support policy formulation and legislation to develop the mining industry.

He added that the building will help facilitate ideation and productive partnerships between member companies and the government as they work together to develop an industry that has the potential to totally transform Ghana’s economy and the livelihoods of people.

Mr Asubonteng stressed that through useful partnerships, the Chamber has continued to maintain its position as the foremost anchor to Ghana’s economy; and despite the challenges it faces daily, the Chamber continue to prove its commitment beyond all reasonable doubt.

He urge the sector minister to pay attention to the value chain of mining and continue to deepen efforts and create opportunities for locals to benefit from the industry.

“If we are committed to realising the full potential of the mining sector in Ghana’s economy and in the lives of our people, we cannot relent on developing internal structures and equipping our institutions to ensure that investments in the minerals sector is a win-win situation for both the investor and host nation. Additionally, as a Chamber, our members will continue to adhere to some of the most stringent but progressive governance principles globally to ensure the businesses are responsive to the needs of the changing world,” Mr Asubonteng intimated.

He further urges the sector ministry to improve the regulatory conditions that can promote and enforce legal requirements in the industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemanu Koney noted that the building will not only enable the staff at the Chamber to perform at optimum to ensure greater value for stakeholders but also enhance the landscape of South Legon.

Describing the building, he added that the structure is designed to accommodate persons with disability as the fitted elevator accesses every floor.

He noted that the building has disability friendly designed places of convenience. “We ensured that these were incorporated into the plans from the onset underscoring the mining industry’s ethos in promoting diversity and inclusiveness.”

Mr Koney added there are three conference rooms in addition to the board room that can host executive level meetings as well as medium size workshops and seminars. There is also a mining library that can be useful to journalists and researchers alike. Making information available to the public at all times is an important aspect of the work we do as it is a key part of deepening accountability and transparency.

According to him, the building also houses a miniature mining museum that will be fitted to showcase the history of Ghana’s mining industry. There is also an open meeting place on the second floor of the building- the Sky Bar that can be used for informal sessions as well as a refreshment parlour.

He said, given their belief in repositioning Ghana as the hub of mining in West Africa, the Chamber hosts the Secretariat of ECOWAS Federation of Chambers of Mines (EFEDCOM). Accordingly, the Chamber has allocated space for the Secretariat of EFEDCOM.

"It will interest you to note that the Local Network of the United Nations Global Compact’s office is housed in this building. As you may be aware, the UN Global Compact is a voluntary agreement championed by the UN to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation. In the coming days, the National Coordinator will be reaching out to member companies to find out more about ways we can deepen cooperation and transparency in our operations," he stated.

Mr Koney indicated that there is a gymnasium to help keep staff of the Chamber and personnel of member companies who care to use it, fit and healthy. “We cannot be oblivious of the direct correlation between employees’ health and their productivity.”