A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has advocated for Tarkwa to strike a sister-city relationship with some cities in Australia in the area of mining, education, cultural exchanges and development.
The success of such a sister-city project, he said, will go a long way to deepen the relationship between Ghana and Australia where a Ghana-Australia Mining Week can be held annually in Tarkwa to boost Australia’s business interest in Ghana.
The Deputy Minister, Hon. George Mireku Duker who is also the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuem Constituency made the call when the Australia High Commissioner visited Tarkwa-Nsuaem on Friday 20th May, 2022.
He stated that the sister-cities initiative coined by Former U.S President Dwight D. Eisenhower shortly after World War II is to develop economic, cultural and technical exchanges between cities, counties, and states with corresponding communities worldwide.
Tarkwa-Nsuaem, he said, is anxious to establish a relationship with Australian mining cities such as Kalgoorie, Broken Hill, Bendingo, Pilbara areas of Karratha, Newman, Port Hedland and South Hedland that would practically benefit the two naturally endowed countries.
According to him, through the long-standing relationship between Ghana and Australia, lots of Australian investments have thrived in Ghana over the years, especially in the Mining Industry.
He said, “Australian companies operating in Ghana include Geodrill, Perseus Mining Ltd, African Mining Services Lycopodium, Castle, Azumah Resources, Noble Gold, Owere Mines Company Ltd, Barminco, and Geodrill.”
“The above activities have contributed significantly towards the economic development of Ghana through the payment of Taxes, Royalties, other levies and employment generation and the significant technological transfer of knowledge,” he added.
The MP noted that among other Australian investments in Ghana are training and scholarships and community engagement and the City of Tarkwa-Nsuaem wants to strike a relationship with some Australian cities for mutual benefits.
Mr. Mireku Duker stated that historically, Tarkwa is noted as a centre of gold mining in Ghana and the world at large and its mineral endowment is part of the historic auriferous Wassa deposit of the then Akan Region.
He said, “Currently Tarkwa holds three producing Mines namely Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine, Anglogold Ashanti, Iduapriem Mine and the Country’s only Commercial Producing Manganese Mine, Ghana Manganese Company.”
“The City of Tarkwa also hosts the World known Mining Institution, University of Mines and Technology with the vision to become a Centre of Excellence in Africa for producing world-class professionals in the fields of mining, technology and related disciplines.”
“It is imperative to state that, every mining operation globally, has a footprint of the product of the University of Mines and Technology. Currently, UMaT is the best engineering education destination in Ghana,” he added.
Hon. Mireku Duker observed that the Australia-Ghana relationship dates back and is very strong as Australia was one of the first countries in the world to recognise Ghana’s independence in 1957.
Australia’s High Commission, he said, was among the very early missions to be established in the independent and democratic sub-Saharan Africa.
He disclosed that the City of Tarkwa will participate in this year’s Africa Downunder Conference in Australia in August and appealed for visas to be granted to the team members who will include revered chiefs, lecturers and opinion leaders.
Source: Mypublisher24.com
