The Chairman of the Kimberley Process, Ahmed Bin Sulayem has called on the Lands Ministry on Thursday, 21st March, 2024, ahead of a review visit to Ghana to ascertain whether the diamond industry is adhering to all the processes of Kimberley standards and specifications.

The Kimberley Process (KP) is an international, multi-stakeholder trade regime created in 2003 to increase transparency and oversight in the diamond supply chain in order to eliminate trade in conflict diamonds, defined as rough diamonds sold by rebel groups or their allies to fund conflict against legitimate governments. The KP facilitates legitimate trade in rough diamonds among participating countries by mandating domestic implementation of a certification scheme that makes the trade more transparent and secure, and prohibits trade with non-participants.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Sector Minister, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker, extended a warm welcome to the Chairperson of the Kimberley Process while emphasizing the importance of the mining sector to Ghana's economy and stating the significant responsibilities vested in the ministry, covering Lands, Forestry, and Mines.

He expressed gratitude to the Chairperson for the visit and highlighted the government's commitment to addressing challenges in the gold sector, including smuggling and taxation, sighting the reduction of withholding tax from 3% to 1.5% as a good example.

Reflecting on Ghana's longstanding participation in the Kimberley Process since 2003, Hon. Duker reaffirmed the country's dedication to upholding the highest standards and contributing to the organization's objectives.

He stressed on the importance of transparency and accountability in the mining industry, noting Ghana's role in various working groups within the Kimberley Process.

Looking ahead, Hon. Duker expressed the need for collaboration between the diamond and gold sectors to ensure sustainable mining practices and environmental protection. He also expressed readiness to explore partnership opportunities and leverage expertise to address Ghana's challenges especially with the cleaning up of river bodies in the country.

Hon. Duker in his statement acknowledged the importance of international collaboration in advancing responsible mining practices and expressed optimism about future engagements while inviting the Chairperson to explore Ghana's agricultural sector during their stay.

He was however quick to add that Ghana is also endowed with many other minerals resources like Lithium and encouraged the Chairman not to only focus on agriculture but also explore other options and invest as much as they can.

The Chairman of the Kimberley Process(KP), Ahmed Bin Sulayem on behalf of his Team said the purposes of their visit is to listen and see how Ghana can be assisted and also to finalise decision on the Executive Secretary of the KP with Ghana's vote saying that "we currently have 10 votes and we need additional 10 votes to finalise this"

He commended Ghana for implementing the digital KP certification as it is in line with their future potentials and also discuss Ghana’s position and concerns on the G7 sanctions causing issues to African Diamond Producers.

The Chairman indicated that he needs Ghana to be a Diamond Competing Centre to avoid monopoly in the industry.

*Meanwhile*, the Deputy Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), Mr. Derek Fredua Akohene on behalf of the Managing Director, received the visiting UAE delegation at the PMMC and provided them with an in-depth information about the inspiration behind the formation of the company, its vision as well as what they seek to achieve in the Ghanaian mining space.

He again outlined some major achievement chalked by the PMMC, noting that the company provides quality assurance to the Bank of Ghana, sensitize the public about gold scams and works with allied agencies to deal with fraudulent gold activities in the country.