The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a committee tasked with engaging prospective strategic investors for the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) and charged its members to prioritise the interests of the Republic of Ghana in all negotiations.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the committee, the Minister stressed that the team has been entrusted with a critical responsibility to engage potential investors on behalf of the Republic and thoroughly assess their proposals, technical capabilities and capacity to revive and sustain VALCO’s operations.

He urged the committee to critically scrutinise the proposals presented by prospective investors and satisfy itself that their capabilities were adequate to undertake the work required to make VALCO viable and sustainable.

“The committee has the authority to probe and make sure that indeed the company’s proposals and their own capabilities are enough to do the work that we know is required and viable,” the Minister said.

Hon. Buah further assured the committee of the Ministry’s full support in the discharge of its mandate

He indicated that the Ministry would provide the committee with the necessary information and logistical support to enable it to undertake engagements, verification exercises, trips and other due diligence activities required to arrive at informed recommendations.

He emphasised that the committee’s work would be crucial in determining the way forward for VALCO and ensuring that any decision taken by government is in the best interest of the country.

He disclosed that upon completion of the assignment, the committee’s report and recommendations would be submitted to him for onward transmission to Cabinet. The report, he noted, would provide Cabinet with the necessary information to determine the appropriate way forward regarding efforts to revive and reposition VALCO.

The Minister therefore called on the committee to undertake a comprehensive assessment of all proposals and provide clear, objective and well-informed recommendations to guide government’s decision-making on the future of the company.

The Chairman of the VALCO Negotiation Committee, Richard Kofi Afenu Esq, pledged the committee’s full commitment to discharging its mandate diligently and in the best interest of the Republic of Ghana.

He described the opportunity to serve on the committee as a great honour and assured the Hon. Minister that he and the entire team would bring their fullest commitment and expertise to the assignment.

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