but secure, reliable access to the export ports,” he says. The media
in Ghana have, however, published a number of scathing articles
highlighting Chinese owned and operated gold mines as main
sources of pollution. In 2017 Ghana signed a USD10-billion
Memorandum of Understanding with China for a bauxite
project that was planned to contribute towards building 1400km
of planned roads and a 4000km railway network, which would
connect bauxite mines and production sites.
According to Kwofie, the Ghanaian government is determined
to bring illegal mining to an end and has recently set up a task
force to ensure this is done. “The task force has made significant
progress and has a good chance of success,” he says.
Kwofie thinks, however, that a scarcity of skilled labour, community
issues and strong competition from other West African countries,
are notable challenges the mining sector in Ghana will have to face.
“Well-trained artisans who were readily available in the past, appear to
be dwindling. This is because the general preference for parents is to
encourage their wards to pursue university academic careers,” he says.
Some mining companies, nonetheless, deal with the scarcity of
skilled labour by conducting their own training programmes, or by
upgrading the skill of existing artisans.
Kwofie emphasises the importance of building community
relationships, which could become a major risk if these aspects are
Country in focus