Lands Minister pledges strong partnership with Women in Mining
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, has affirmed the government’s resolute commitment to collaborating with Women in Mining Ghana and stakeholders across the mining industry to enact substantive changes for a more inclusive and thriving mining sector.
Addressing the theme of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Actions for the Mining Sector at a National Policy Dialogue organized by Women in Mining Ghana, Mr. Jinapor emphasised the importance of empowering women in alignment with recent International Women’s Day celebrations.
Highlighting Ghana’s rich mining history and its pivotal role in the national economy, Mr. Jinapor reiterated the government’s vision to position Ghana as Africa’s primary hub for mining activities.
He underscored the significance of inclusivity and justice in widening participation in the industry, commending Women in Mining Ghana for its advocacy efforts and steadfast commitment to industry values.
In terms of economic empowerment, Mr. Jinapor underscored the substantial contributions of women to the mining sector, citing examples of local content initiatives such as catering services, which generate significant revenue, sometimes exceeding $2 million.
He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate in all facets of the industry, particularly in administrative roles, from entry-level positions to leadership roles, stressing the need for training and educational support in fields like geology and chemical engineering.
Mr. Jinapor urged Women in Mining to prioritize training, emphasizing that inclusion involves educating and training women to be involved in the process from the outset.
He expressed determination to align government policies with the needs of women in mining, calling for collaborative efforts to enhance inclusivity and promote women’s success in the sector.
Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs. Judy Nakuor Crayem, CEO of Rapport Services and Member of the Board of the Minerals Commission, addressed the state of women in artisanal mining, noting that although women constitute 50% of the labor force in the mining sector, they are often excluded from critical decision-making. She advocated for a level playing field without discrimination to address challenges faced by women in the sector.
Mrs. Crayem announced that Women in Mining, in partnership with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Mining (GNASSM), is offering women training in jewelry making and lapidary as an alternative livelihood and a means to address issues in the mining industry.
President of Women in Mining Ghana, Mrs. Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, highlighted the challenges faced by women in the mining sector, including limited access to information, financial resources, and inadequate policies to support their involvement. She emphasized the need for actionable solutions and called on stakeholders to take the agenda of diversity, inclusion, and belonging forward, not only within Ghana but across the African Union and ECOWAS. Solidarity messages were also delivered by other Presidents of Women in Mining Africa from Congo, Niger, Nigeria, and Namibia, emphasizing the importance of a collective effort for a more inclusive and prosperous mining sector
