For the first time in The Gambia, the leg of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), last Friday held a day sensitisation session for government officials and international organisations as well as local authorities on the Ecowas directive on the harmonisation of guiding principles and policies on the mining sector.

This initiative, according to officials, would usher in a common mining code for the sub-region. The session was held at the conference hall of the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. During the session, participants were exposed to the Ecowas mineral resources development programme, which is aimed at contributing to the macro-economic development of the member states, on which territory the mining operations are conducted.

Officially declaring the session open, Momodou Kotu Cham, minister of Forestry and the Environment, said as The Gambia is hosting such a programme for the first time, it aims at strenghtening efforts to sensitise and inform the entire citizenry about the directive. Minister Cham told the gathering that in order to make the directive tangible, member states must actively support and take ownership of it.

According to him, mineral resources constitute a window to transform national economies and bring about sustainable livelihood opportunities for the people. When judiciously tapped and environmentally monitored for sustainablity, Minister Cham observed that mineral resources could undoubtedly benefit generations that are even yet to be born. Cham further told the gathering that the promulgation of directive on the harmonisation of guiding principles and policies in mining "is therefore a clear effort to make these happen."

The directive, Minister Cham went on, is also a useful framework for countries like The Gambia as they help in consolidating approaches to ensure enough economic and social value being derived from the operations of companies that secure mining licences. "For The Gambia, the past have been gloomy due to the fact that the treasured resources were being exploited on model that accrued optimal benefit to the external operator at the expense of the rightful owner," Kotu Cham told the gathering.

However, he added that such trends could no longer be continued in Africa. And with harmonised systems and processes, he said: "We are sure to attract win-win collaborations with operators that operates in our mine fields". According to the Forestry and the Environment minister, The Gambia in 2005, enacted the Mines and Quarries Act. He said that almost all the substantive issues contained in the Ecowas mine directive are covered by this Act.

In conclusion, Minister Cham urged participants to pay special attention to the discussions of the seminar, saying "the session is to prepare us for the bigger responsibility as stakeholders acting together in unison in the collective ownership, use and protection of our natural and mineral resources". Mensan Lawson-Hechelli, the Ecowas director of industry and mines commended The Gambia for successfully hosting the programme. Mineral resources, he observed, are important resources for national growth and development. According to him, in order to sustain the natural resources, efficient utility mechanisms must be put in place.

In a power point presentation on the overview of the Ecowas directives, William Baidoe Ansah Baidoe, Ecowas principal programme officer of mines said the directive basically seeks to ensure high standard of accountability for mining companies and governments, to promote human rights and transparency. The directive, he added, also seeks to ensure social equity and to provide protection for local communities and the environment in mining areas within the sub-region.