By Timothy Ngnenbe, Graphiconline
The new Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, has pledged the commitment of China to work closely with the Ghanaian government to ensure responsible and sustainable exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.
Mr Defa, the 17th Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, observed that with the growing investment of Chinese companies, particularly in the gold mining sector, it was important for the two countries to work hand in hand to ensure a win-win situation while protecting the integrity of the environment.
He gave the assurance last Wednesday during a courtesy call on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, at his office.
The courtesy call was meant to officially announce the presence of Mr Defa in the country as the foremost Chinese citizen in Ghana, and to share ideas on how to deepen the historic relationship between the two countries.
Mr Defa said during his tenure of office as the Chinese Ambassador, his preoccupation would be to consolidate the gains that had been made in the China-Ghana relationship.
He added that Chinese mining entities would be urged to do business in a manner that did not infringe the mining laws of Ghana.
The ambassador commended Mr Jinapor for his good working relationship with Chinese entities, and underscored the need to strengthen the bond to ensure that both parties benefitted from investments in the sector.
Mr Jinapor commended China for being a faithful partner to Ghana in terms of investments, particularly in the mining sector.
He noted that the long-standing relationship between Ghana and China since independence had been hugely beneficial to the country’s development over the years.
The Damongo Member of Parliament (MP) added that the ambassador’s visit was indicative of the Chinese government’s commitment to collaborating with Ghana to harness the country’s mineral resources.
He stressed that strengthening the collaboration between the two countries was particularly important and required that steps were taken to ensure the exploitation of minerals was within the scope of the country’s laws and environmental commitment.
Mr Jinapor added that the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry would continue to work with the Chinese Embassy and companies to ensure that they operated within an environment necessary for their growth.
He said the involvement of Chinese mining companies in the country’s large-scale mining sector was significant and needed to be taken to a higher level through sustained investments.
“In the Upper East Region, there is Shandong Gold. Cardinal Namdini is going to be the third largest mining company in the country when completed. They are also making plans to build an airport in Bolgatanga, which is very good for national development”, he said.
Mr Jinapor said the government would ensure that Chinese involvement in the management of the country’s lands and natural resources was in accordance with Ghana’s environmental laws.
