Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Kojo Bonsu, says the Chinese government is deeply concerned about illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana, particularly the involvement of some Chinese nationals in the activity.Ghana Business Insights
According to him, the Chinese government, led by President Xi Jinping, has taken the issue seriously and is working with Ghana to address it.
Speaking to Channel One News, Ambassador Bonsu said the Ghana Embassy in China is collaborating with Chinese authorities to encourage responsible mining companies to invest in Ghana while helping to curb illegal mining involving Chinese nationals.
He said the Chinese government has assigned officials at the provincial level to engage Ghana on measures to address the galamsey menace.Ghana News Subscription
“I know everyone in Ghana now is talking about galamsey, but the Chinese government is very angry about all those galamsey issues. These are people who come to Ghana through the back door and don’t go through the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to acquire proper licences, but through dubious means,” he said.
Ambassador Bonsu said discussions between President John Dramani Mahama and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue had resulted in a commitment by the Chinese side to support efforts to tackle illegal mining.
“Now the Chinese government is frowning on that. They have even ordered a county or province called Guangxi to come and solve that problem because President John Dramani Mahama had a meeting with President Xi Jinping on that matter, and the Chinese have taken it seriously.” he added.
He said the objective is to promote responsible mining practices and ensure that Chinese companies operating in Ghana comply with the country’s mining and environmental regulations.
Beyond efforts to combat illegal mining, Ambassador Bonsu said the Ghana Embassy in China is seeking reputable Chinese mining companies to invest in Ghana.
He cited companies such as Zijin Mining and Cardinal Namdini as examples of investors Ghana would like to see operating within the framework of responsible mining.
“I can assure you that all those Chinese companies coming to Ghana through us are responsible. They are going to do what we call responsible mining that will not affect the environment.” he noted.
He said Ghana’s objective is not simply to attract mining companies, but to secure investments that bring capital, technology, skills development and technology transfer.
“Our number one goal is to bring genuine investors who will bring good money, be socially responsible to the people and bring technology for us to have a new system to learn.” he emphasised.
Ambassador Bonsu stressed that the Embassy would not support investors seeking to enter Ghana through questionable means or engage in illegal mining.Ghana Business Insights
“We don’t want to just bring any kind of mining investors, but genuine investment with good technology and ensure technology transfer locally. We don’t want to bring any mushroom investor that will bring technologies through the back door just to galamsey.” he re-emphasized.
He said he was confident in the Chinese government’s commitment to addressing the issue and pledged to continue working until Chinese involvement in illegal mining in Ghana becomes a thing of the past.
