By Linda Kwanjana
Minister of Mining Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has urged African leaders to take a proactive role in safeguarding the continent’s mineral resources while ensuring that youths, women, and persons with disabilities are placed at the forefront of the mining sector.
Ng’oma has said this on Tuesday at the ongoing Mining Indaba, themed Mining in Motion, being held in Accra, Ghana.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ng’oma highlighted Africa’s vast mineral wealth but expressed concern over the ongoing exploitation of these resources by European interests.
“There is a pressing need for unity and decisive action to ensure that the benefits from our resources remain within the continent and are reinvested for the welfare of our people,” Ng’oma stated.
He also emphasized the importance of developing a continental strategy that recognizes and promotes the dignity and inclusion of youths, women, and differently-abled citizens, groups that have historically been marginalized in Africa’s resource management.
Regarding Malawi’s progress in the mining sector, Minister Ng’oma noted significant advancements, describing mining as a pivotal pillar for the country’s economic transformation.
In this regard, he underscored Malawi’s commitment to the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE) model, a national strategy designed to drive growth and inclusivity within the sector.
“We take pride in championing the ICE model, which aims to empower young people, uplift women, and support individuals with disabilities to assume leadership roles in mining. This approach is not merely symbolic; it is a structural and strategic imperative for Malawi’s future,” he explained.
During the event, Ng’oma also extended an invitation to attendees of the summit to join the Malawi Mining Summit scheduled for July 14 at the Bingu National Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital.
The summit is expected to draw government officials, industry experts, and leaders from across Africa.
