By James Amoh Jnr
Aburi (E/R), Dec. 12, GNA – The Association of China–Ghana Mining (ACGM) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and community-centred mining in Ghana.
The Association also expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with the media to promote responsible and fact-based reporting on the sector.
Mr Zhang Yinming, Deputy Secretary-General of the ACGM, made the remarks at the opening of a three-day Sustainable Mining training workshop for journalists at Aburi.
He said responsible mining and responsible journalism must complement each other to build public trust, enhance transparency and support Ghana’s broader development agenda.
The workshop, jointly organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the ACGM, aims to strengthen journalists’ knowledge of sustainable mining practices, ethical reporting standards and the legal frameworks governing Ghana’s extractive sector.
It is also intended to foster closer cooperation between the media and industry stakeholders in promoting responsible mining across the value chain.
Mr Zhang said the media remained an essential partner in shaping narratives that reflect both the opportunities and challenges within the mining industry.
He added that the ACGM supported efforts by Ghanaian journalists to “reclaim the African narrative” through accurate, balanced and contextual reporting.
Joined by Mr Tang Zhenjiang, Chairman of the ACGM, Mr Zhang outlined initiatives by Chinese mining firms in Ghana to align with the country’s green mining agenda.
These include investments in renewable energy, education, skills development and community infrastructure.
Mr. Zhang said companies such as Shandong Gold, Chifeng Gold and Zijin Mining were integrating global best practices with strong community engagement to support long-term local development.
He cited Shandong Gold’s Cardinal Namdini project in the north, which is developing a 100-megawatt solar power plant expected to reduce carbon emissions, support agro-ecological activities and boost local procurement and youth empowerment.
Mr Zhang said the ACGM had, over the past eight months, contributed more than GH₵900,000 to social causes, including support for conflict-affected communities, persons with disabilities and vulnerable individuals, reflecting the Association’s belief that mining should improve livelihoods.
He stressed that the ACGM’s work complemented President John Dramani Mahama’s “Africa Beyond Aid” agenda, noting that technology transfer, skills development and local procurement were essential to retaining mining revenues within Ghana’s economy.
Mr Zhang urged participating journalists to use the workshop to enhance their skills in sustainability reporting, environmental accountability and industry regulation.
He pledged that the ACGM would continue to open its operations to the media through mine visits and information-sharing platforms to improve transparency.
Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, emphasised the critical role of journalists in promoting sustainability and encouraged them to adopt a balanced and comprehensive approach in reporting on the mining sector, particularly on stories involving Chinese companies.
He said responsible journalism was vital to strengthening China–Ghana relations and promoting sustainable mining.
Mr Tong appealed to journalists to “report comprehensively and objectively about China,” adding that accurate narratives would contribute to stronger bilateral relations.
Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, said the workshop sought to enhance journalists’ capacity to report responsibly on mining and natural resource governance.
He noted that the media played a key role in shaping public understanding and ensuring accountability in the extractive sector, adding that the training would help participants appreciate the balance between economic benefits and environmental sustainability.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey