Dodowa, May 5, GNA – Mrs Eugenia Kusi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy, on Thursday said the mining sector could win more sympathizers if Ghanaians were encouraged to appreciate its positive role in national development. “Mining is like a vehicle. It can be very helpful to commuters and it can also be a murder weapon.”
Mrs Kusi was speaking to journalists at the beginning of a three-day orientation seminar for members of the Committee on Mines and Energy at Dodowa, near Accra.
The seminar, organised by Parliament, is being attended by all relevant agencies under the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Land, Forestry and Mines.
The 18 members of the Committee, who are mostly new in Parliament, are to be briefed on the operations and responsibilities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies concerned.
She said at the moment, the country lacked the full compliment of technical expertise and capital to dig up its minerals hence the need for foreign participation in the mining sector.
“A good regulatory regime and knowledge on mining are key to the poor image of certain miners in the country,” she observed. Mrs Kusi said without understanding what pertains in the two sectors, any pronouncement on subjects relating to them, may be hollow and confusing.
She said Parliament would start rigorous work very soon and expressed the hope that members would be ready to contribute effectively.
Mrs Kusi called for media participation in the debate on alternative sources of energy as it formed the basis for modern and progressive life. 05 May 05
Source: GhanaWeb
