The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has emphasized the need for a broader and more integrated approach to mining security in Ghana. He stressed that protecting the mineral economy requires more than securing mining sites. According to Terlabi, the evolving security environment demands stronger coordination among government institutions, security and intelligence agencies, mining companies, financial institutions, border authorities, and host communities.
Addressing the sixth West Africa Mining Security (WAMS) Conference in Accra, Terlabi noted that mining security must now be viewed as part of the wider national and regional security architecture. He highlighted that effective partnerships should involve adapting successful approaches to local realities rather than simply transferring models from one country to another. This approach is particularly relevant in West Africa, where considerable mineral wealth, including gold, bauxite, manganese, lithium, and iron ore, holds significant potential to contribute to industrial development and the global economy.
Terlabi stated that Ghana remains committed to building a mining sector in which security protects legitimate investment, investment creates opportunities, opportunities strengthen communities, and strong communities contribute to national and regional stability. This commitment is reflected in the country's efforts to address emerging security challenges in the mining sector. The Deputy Minister's comments were echoed by the Australian High Commissioner-designate to Ghana, H.E. Keara Shaw, who underscored the importance of security, responsible environmental practices, and constructive dialogue in building a sustainable mining industry in Africa.
Shaw described the West Africa Mining Security Conference (WAMS) as an important platform for stakeholders and professionals to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen collaboration on emerging security challenges in the mining industry. The conference, hosted by the Australian High Commission in collaboration with the Australian-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG) and MS Risk, brought together government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, security and intelligence agencies, mining industry leaders, and other stakeholders to deliberate on emerging security challenges affecting the mining sector.
The conference provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss the complex security challenges facing the mining sector in West Africa. These challenges include organized crime, environmental degradation, and the need for effective partnerships between government institutions, security agencies, and mining companies. The Deputy Minister's call for stronger coordination among government institutions reflects the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges.
The Australian High Commission's collaboration with AAMEG and MS Risk to host the conference highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing the security challenges facing the mining sector in West Africa. The conference brought together experts and stakeholders from across the region to share experiences and best practices in mining security. This exchange of ideas and expertise is critical in building a sustainable mining industry in Africa.
The Deputy Minister's comments and the discussions at the WAMS conference underscore the need for a coordinated approach to addressing the evolving security challenges in Ghana's mining sector. The sector plays a critical role in the country's economy, and effective partnerships between government institutions, security agencies, and mining companies are essential in ensuring the security of the mineral economy and promoting sustainable development.
Key points
- The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, calls for stronger coordination among government institutions to address evolving security challenges in Ghana's mining sector.
- The West Africa Mining Security Conference provides a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and share experiences on emerging security challenges in the mining industry.
- Effective partnerships between government institutions, security agencies, and mining companies are critical in building a sustainable mining industry in Africa.
