Akyem Oda, May 09, GNA - Members of Ghana Diamond Winners Association on Wednesday elected new executive officers unopposed to steer its affairs for the next four years. They were Mr Alfred Adjapong, Chairman; Nana Kwaku Opare-Akufo, Vice Chairman; Mr Yaw Nti Asiedu, Secretary; Mr Tutu Nelson, Assistant Secretary and Opanin Kwasi Boah, Organiser. Birim South District Office of the Electoral Commission supervised the elections.

Mr George Asante, Deputy Managing Director of Precious Minerals Marketing Corporation (PMMC) urged the executive to ensure members did not purchase diamonds from conflict zones to avoid being blacklisted. "You should put in the necessary measures to prevent blood diamond from mixing with yours," he added.

Mr Asante said to avoid any suspicion from Kimberly Processing Certification of diamonds they were expected to send their production targets to the PMMC monthly to confirm exports from the country. He urged members to form a united and strong association to lobby government and donors for financial support. Mr Samuel B. Awuah, Out-going Chairman expressed concern about many people winning diamond but had refused to join the association and appealed to them to join it.

He noted that acquisition of concession for mining during the tenure of office of the past executive was a problem. Mr Awuah attributed the problem to the management of Ghana Consolidated Diamond (GCD) that lacked the equipment and resources to undertake deep mining in reserved areas and had to struggling with the members to operate in areas reserved for small-scale mining. However, he said the association had acquired a concession at Akyem Aduasa and Takrowase for members.

Mr Asiedu on behalf of the newly elected executive expressed appreciation to the members for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would live up to expectation. He appealed to members to contribute their quota towards the development of the association. Mr Asiedu was optimistic that the Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines would assist the association to increase diamond production to generate more revenue for the country. 09 May 07