The erstwhile Ghana Consolidated Diamond Limited (GCDL) at Akwatia in the Eastern region, which collapsed in 2007 and rendered over 800 workers jobless, has been revamped.
The management of the Great Consolidated Diamonds Ghana Limited (GCDGL), the company that won the bid to acquire GCDL, said it is adequately prepared to operationalize its multi-dimensional strategy to revive the fortunes of the company which was once the main economic pillar in the region.
At a well-attended ceremony to officially launch the commencement of operations of GCDGL at Akwatia, Delali Kabe, Acting General Manager, GCDGL said, �Apart from investing over $100 million in a five year multi phase programme by way of revamping the Akwatia Mine, the operations of GCDGL has been uniquely designed to transform the landscape of Akwatia and the entire region into a commercial hump with state-of-the-art infrastructural development and numerous jobs opportunities for the people of Akwatia and environ.�
He stated that it is estimated that in total about 50,000 direct job opportunities will be created in the mainstream mining and other ancillary areas such as large-scale agricultural activities which will make use of the reclaimed mine out lands; cash crop farming, oil palm, citrus and cocoa plantations, livestock rearing, fish farming; afforestation; stable foods farming to finally add value to farm produce through agro processing.
The expected jobs to be generated from all these ancillary activities are estimated at 22,000.
Mr. Kade added that GCDGL will upgrade and develop the human and equipment capacity of the engineering and constructions units, in addition to internal assignments and external income generating jobs.
He announced that the company will �seek to regularize tributer mining or small scale mining to ensure effective monitoring of their operations.
This will help reduce if not eliminate the menace of �galamsey� in Akwatia.�
As part of its corporate social responsibility, the company will also upgrade and expand the company�s hospital and establish modernized clinics within the communities in the concession.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Payin II, Okyehene, in his address noted that �irrespective of the potentials of the diamond industry to the growth of any economy, it is a well known fact that Ghana�s diamond industry to date has been facing a major decline.�
Production statistics, he noted, �indicate that in 2009 diamond production declined by almost 50 per cent, partly due to the diversification of the portfolio of small-scale miners (or licensed galamsey operators), away from diamond mining to gold as a result of the better market prices prevailing for gold, it is undisputed that the moribund situation of the major diamond mining company in West Africa � the Ghana Consolidated Diamond (GCD) Limited is a major contributor factor.�
According to Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Payin, the survival of Akwatia in terms of the livelihood of the people, the entire region and to some extend the nation is connected to the survival of the Akwatia mines.
�It is our prayer that the youth and people of Akwatia and the entire country will take advantage of the commencement of the unique operational module of the GCDGL that offers those that want to ply their career in minerals exploration, agri-business, haulages and other transport services and many other indirect services to make life more fulfilling by working and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country,� he added.
The Vice President John Dramani Mahama, for his part, said the commencement of operations by GCDGL reiterates government�s commitment to investing in its own people and creating jobs, with a view to addressing poverty, socio-economic developmental gaps and bringing smiles to the faces of the people of Ghana.
He emphasised that �the mining sector is an important segment of the Ghanaian economy and continues to play a significant role in the country�s socioeconomic development since the colonial period.�
Historically, the mining sector�s contribution to gross foreign exchange, particularly gold and diamond, has only been paralleled by the cocoa sector.�
The sector, he said, presents strong potential to generate substantial revenue and employment to provide more visible economic benefits to the country and improved livelihood for the population.
The Vice President assured that �government will ensure that the mining sector is given the due attention it deserves, and the right policies shall therefore be enforced to give the people of Ghana a major stake in the sector and ensure that the citizens benefit from its minerals.�
He wished GCDGL well in their operation and called on all to �encourage them in their endeavour to create sustainable jobs, revamp the local economy and conserve the environment.�
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