Mining must be at the heart of economic empowerment and to integrate more closely with the wider economy, according to Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Chamber of Mines. He believes mining in his country must play a key role in its national development as well as bring benefits to the economies of countries cross West Africa. In a statement this week Koney said that the West African Mining & Power Conference 2018 (WAMPOC) in May would bring together those people who can drive change.

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has its 90^th anniversary this year celebrated at WAMPOC, alongside the WAMPEX exhibition, with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana as Special Guest of Honour. The Chamber is a partner in the planning and organisation of the event. “We are expectant that as has been the case in the past, WAMPOC/WAMPEX 2018 will be a great avenue for stakeholders in the sector to look to the future and lead the way in making mining and power the lifeblood of the West African economy,” he said.

“This year’s event is expected to focus on the realignment of the Chamber’s role in creating greater value for investors within the sector as well as broader integration with the non-mineral economy. It has become more crucial than ever for mining companies to be at the centre of the real economic empowerment.”

Exhibitors from around the world will be at the Accra International Conference Centre from May 30 to June 1 for the event. “This remains an international networking conference and exhibition for the mining and power industry in West Africa that brings together captains in those sectors, high-powered government officials from West Africa, international and local investors, NGOS, researchers in academia and traditional leaders,” said Koney.

“This event has, since its inception 24 years ago, continually created the platform to introduce new mining suppliers, technology innovators and investors to West Africa’s mining and power sectors under the competent auspices of the Chamber. The conference and exhibition have progressively become West Africa’s main platform for thought leadership in mining and power. We welcome all participants to our beautiful country.”

Addae Antwi-Boasiako, the CEO of the Ghana Minerals Commission said: “The Minerals Commission deems the upcoming 13^th edition of the West Africa Mining & Power Conference (WAMPOC), which runs alongside WAMPEX, a huge platform that will provide opportunities to local and foreign firms to leverage the investment opportunities available in the mining and energy sectors of the Ghanaian economy.”

WAMPEX and WAMPOC 2018 is also endorsed by The Ghana Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources, The Minerals Commission of Ghana and The Energy Commission of Ghana.