Judy Crayem (2nd left), Chairperson of the Gold Statement Project addressing the media. With her are Ben Aryee (2nd right) Chief Executive Officer of Minerals Commission
Judy Crayem, Chairperson of the Gold Statement Project, a committee working to promote the work of indigenous jewelry producers, has appealed to government and stakeholders to show commitment towards the development of the sector.
She said the country’s economy would receive a major boost since there are enormous untapped resources in the jewelry sector if that is done.
Mrs. Crayem was speaking in Accra on Tuesday at the launch of this years’ Gold Statement Exhibition held annually to offer platform for jewelry producers, deliberate on issues affecting the industry and position Ghana as a preferred destination for jewelry.
This year’s exhibition, which is under the theme, “Strengthening the synergy between indigenous gold miners and value additioners – A viable concept,” is slated from September 29 to October 1, 2011.
Mrs. Crayem said “we need to take practical steps to develop the jewelry market to attract international attention. Improving the sector holds the key for accelerated national economic development.”
She bemoaned what she described as ‘lip service’ paid to the sector over the years, adding “the country produces about 5 million ounces of gold annually but almost everything is exported. We should be able to build our capacity at the local level to be able to promote gold tourism.
“We are always looking for foreign exchange for development yet we overlook a very important sector that can help us to address some of our development challenges.”
Ben Aryee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Minerals Commission, said there should be value addition to gold produced in the country in order to take advantage of the soaring gold prices on the world market.
“We have not consciously promoted this sector. This is the time to highlight the problems associated with the area.”
He said the government was committed to creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.
A representative of the Federation of Ghanaian Jewelers said “we are always referred to as the Gold Coast but we have no museum to display our works.
“If you visit South African museums, about 60 per cent of gold exhibited are from Ghana.”
He said gold is in high demand and it was up to the players to explore the precious mineral for the benefit of the people.
The representative warned that the goldsmith business is collapsing in the country and called for the transfer of technology to the younger generation.
By William Yaw Owusu
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Gold Statement Expo Launched