Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Ghana Chamber of Commerce has rounded up its year-long 80 years anniversary celebration with a launch of a book to provide information on the sector's activities. The 115-page book entitled; "The Evolution of the Ghana Chamber of Mines" authored by Mr James Kwamena Anaman, a former President of the Chamber and reviewed by Mr. Kwame Pianim, an Economist, chronicled the importance and contribution of the sector to national development. The book will also serve as a reference guide for students and researchers doing studies on the mining industry. Launching it at a dinner dance held for stakeholders of the industry in Accra, Mr. Pianim called for more viable ways of harnessing natural resources to create job avenues for the teeming unemployed youth in the country.

He said, as attempts to diversify the economy did not fully materialise, the country had over the years relied on mineral resources to prosecute her development agenda. He called on the next government after the December general polls to take bold and decisive steps to propel the country towards a new phase of development. Mr Jurgen Eijgendaal, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines called for legalization of small-scale mining to reduce encroachment on companies' concessions.

He said the growing presence of illegal miners on concessions was adversely affecting the country's image as a safe destination for investment.

He announced that the Chamber had established a GHC 20,000.00 environmental studies chair at the University of Mines and Technology at Tarkwa to assist the Chamber to proactively handle environmental and social issues that confronted the industry. He also added his voice to calls for peaceful elections in December this year and congratulated President John Agyekum Kufuor for his cooperation with the Chamber. Among those present at the dinner was Mrs Joyce Aryee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber. 29 Nov. 08