WACSOF ORGANISED, FOR ECOWAS, A REGIONAL EXPERTS MEETING ON ECOWAS HARMONISED MINING POLICY IN ACCRA, GHANA 

WACSOF organised on behalf of ECOWAS Commission, with the support of Ford Foundation the 3rd National Experts Review Meeting on the Draft ECOWAS Model Mining & Minerals Development Act (EMMMDA) / Implementation Strategy in Accra, Republic of Ghana from 15-19 April 2019. In attendance were the following Member States: BENIN; BURKINA FASO; COTE D’IVOIRE; THE GAMBIA; GHANA; GUINEA; GUINEA BISSAU; LIBERIA; MALI; NIGER; NIGERIA; SENEGAL; TOGO

Also present were representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including Ford Foundation in West Africa, West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), Oxfam in West Africa, Third World Network – Africa, and Open Society Initiative for West Africa.

 MEDIA COVERAGE 

REMARKS

In his brief remarks, the Chairman welcomed the participants and thanked them for their availability for the Meeting. He extended the fraternal greetings of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu BUHARI and the Honorable Minister of State for Ministry of Mines & Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bawa BWARI to the Meeting. On behalf of the participants he thanked ECOWAS Commission and Republic of Ghana for hosting the Meeting. He also thanked Ford Foundation in West Africa and West African Civil Society Forum for supporting the organization of the Meeting.

The Chairman reiterated the objective of the Meeting. He also reiterated the understanding that the draft EMMMDA which will be adopted by a Supplementary Act is not meant to replace the Mining Codes in-Force in the Member States. However, when adopted, Member States are obliged to align their Mining Acts to the EMMMDA. The Chairman further implored the delegates to be mindful of the volume of work before the Meeting and the time constraint to achieving the desired objective of the Meeting. He expressed his belief that participants will put in effective contributions for successful deliberations.

The Commissioner thanked the delegates for being available for the Meeting and reiterated the main objective of the Meeting. He further reiterated the statutory process to the adoption of the Draft EMMMDA and informed the Meeting that, it is being planned to hold the Ministerial Validation Meeting in May or June 2019.

CONCLUSION

The Meeting unanimously adopted the Draft Report as amended.

In closing, the Chairman expressed his gratitude to the delegates for their cooperation and outstanding quality of contributions which led to a successful meeting.

PARTNERS

Thanks to FORD FOUNDATION and ECOWAS for the support