Mining industry leaders and government ministers from across West Africa alongside exhibitors from around the world will be in Accra on May 30 for the first day of the region’s premier mining and power expo and conference.
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo is the special guest of honour at WAMPOC & WAMPEX, marking the 90th anniversary of The Ghana Chamber of Mines.
More than 1,000 people are expected at the International Conference Centre in the nation’s capital over the three-day days where international exhibitors will join local companies showcasing products and services for the mining and power sectors.
There has been a surge in international exhibitors as mining recovers from the slump of the past three years.
Proof of this renewed optimism is reflected the exhibitors to WAMPEX 2018: there will be 25 suppliers from India at the expo and the South Africans will also be in Ghana with an exhibitor delegation backed by the government.
West African mining has seen renewed confidence over the past 12 months as both government and the private sector pledged investment and support, according to Brad Hook, commercial director for dmg events, the co-organisers of the event in Accra.
“It’s a growing market. In Ghana the annual mining procurement spend, upstream of the value chain, is around $1.2bn – that’s almost half of the $2.6bn total for West Africa,” he said.
Exhibitors include engineering and environmental consultancy Knight Piesold. “WAMPEX 2018 is the largest forum which provides a good opportunity for stakeholders in the mining and power industries,” said company spokesperson Sally Arko.
Interplast Ltd has operated in Ghana since 1970 and is now the region’s biggest supplier of plastic piping. The company’s Elizabeth Owusu Gyebi said: “We are at WAMPEX to expands our customer base, make new contacts, increase sales, be known and visible to industry players and to build stronger relationship with stakeholders in the mining sector.”
Another exhibitor is Genser Energy Africa, an independent power producer, specialising in energy generators across the continent, but especially mines. “We provide power for two mines in Ghana and we are part of the country’s mining industry, that’s why we are at WAMPEX,” said spokesperson Frema Osei Afriyie.
“The conference and exhibition have progressively become West Africa’s main platform for thought leadership in mining and power,” said Sulemanu Koney, chief executive officer, Ghana Chamber of Mines.
The Chamber is an organising conference partner for WAMPOC 2018 and Sulemanu believes mining in his country must play a key role in national development as well as the economies of countries cross West Africa. He said the conference brings together those people who can drive change.
“This remains an international networking conference and exhibition for the mining and power industry in West Africa that brings together captains in those sectors, high-powered government officials from West Africa, international and local investors, NGOS, researchers in academia and traditional leaders.”
For more details of the expo and conference go to www.wampexghana.com.
