The Regional High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals, and Conflict in Africa has ended in Accra with a call for a new approach to managing the continent's mineral resources. The three-day conference, convened by the Open Society Foundations at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, brought together government officials, African Union and Regional Economic Communities representatives, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, mining communities, researchers, development partners and private sector actors.
Stronger Governance Systems Needed for Africa's Mineral Wealth
Key discussions at the conference centred on the need for stronger governance systems, transparency, accountability, and greater citizen participation in decisions concerning mineral resources. Delegates called for African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals by investing in beneficiation, refining, manufacturing, research, and skills development to create greater value and employment opportunities on the continent.
The conference highlighted the importance of recognising mining communities as partners in mineral governance and ensuring the meaningful participation of women, young people, traditional authorities, and artisanal miners. With increasing global competition for critical minerals, the conference stressed the need for stronger cooperation through African institutions, including the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to strengthen the continent's voice in global negotiations.
African Countries Must Invest in Mineral Processing
Delegates called for African countries to invest in mineral processing to create greater value and employment opportunities on the continent. This includes investing in beneficiation, refining, manufacturing, research, and skills development. The conference noted that this approach would enable Africa to move beyond exporting raw minerals and create a more sustainable and equitable economy.
The conference also highlighted the importance of recognising mining communities as partners in mineral governance. This includes ensuring the meaningful participation of women, young people, traditional authorities, and artisanal miners in decisions concerning mineral resources. The conference stressed that this approach would enable Africa to manage its mineral wealth in a more inclusive and sustainable manner.
Conference Ends with Commitment to Strengthen Governance
The conference ended with a commitment to strengthen accountable governance, promote industrialisation, and ensure Africa's mineral wealth delivers lasting benefits for its people. The conference highlighted the importance of cooperation among African countries to manage their mineral wealth in a more inclusive and sustainable manner. The conference also stressed the need for stronger cooperation through African institutions, including the African Union and the AfCFTA, to strengthen the continent's voice in global negotiations.
The Regional High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals, and Conflict in Africa has ended in Accra with a call for a new approach to managing the continent's mineral resources. The conference highlighted the importance of stronger governance systems, transparency, accountability, and greater citizen participation in decisions concerning mineral resources. The conference also stressed the need for African countries to invest in mineral processing and recognise mining communities as partners in mineral governance. As the conference comes to a close, the question remains: will African countries be able to implement these recommendations and manage their mineral wealth in a more inclusive and sustainable manner?
Source: Joy Online
