Paulina's Notes: Diamonds are a girl's best friend............ (Akwatia)

"Standing at 9th place in diamond production is the country of Ghana, located in Africa. The economy of this country is buoyed by its rich and diverse industrial minerals, petroleum, and natural gas. It is also one of the world’s largest exporters of cocoa. Ghana is considered among the top producers of diamonds in the world. In fact, its exportation of diamond, along with gold, is one of the country’s major sources of revenues." http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/location/top-10-countries-with-the-most-diamonds-found/



"A recently new study of diamonds has found another interesting factor that makes diamonds just a little more special.  It turns out that diamonds actually have the same age rings as most trees do.  Diamonds also, like trees take an extremely long time to grow.  They grow over millions of years and therefore are usually half the age of the earth."



The Export of Diamonds from Ghana

Like most other countries in West Africa, Ghana has several deposits of diamonds as well. However, the country has yet to feature in the global list of major diamond producers. Ghana produced a little more than 370,000 carats of rough diamonds in 2009, and this was seen as a major reduction in the production of diamonds in terms of volume. However, now with things falling in place, Ghana diamonds are becoming popular, albeit gradually.

    

 

Diamond Mining in Ghana

Diamond mining in the country is concentrated in the Birim Valley, near Akwatia. Usually, these diamonds are mined by small scale miners from alluvial as well as in-situ deposits. Under the British, Ghana had one of the biggest state-owned diamond miners in the world, but once the British left, diamond mining operations have gone down and it is now confined to the small scale sector. Unfortunately, diamond mining in the country has not taken off as the government would have liked it to, with the country producing around 400,000 carats a month.

Diamond Industry in Ghana

In Ghana, there is a three-tier system in place for diamond mining and selling. The country has miners, who are usually small scale miners, sellers and then there are exporters. Till 2007, the Ghana Minerals Commissioned supervised the miners. However, once the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was launched, the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Ltd. supervises not just the miners, but also the trading activities. The PMMC collects all the required information about the miners and forwards it to the Kimberley Process authorities.

In 2006, the UN had banned Ghana from exporting diamonds, as there was a doubt that Ghana was dealing with conflict diamonds. However, once the Kimberley Process authorities visited the country to check for compliance, the country was allowed to export diamonds again.

The small scale miners, who sell their diamonds to exporters, have often complained about the ban on excavators. The government decided to ban excavators for diamond mining due to environmental issues. However, miners often claim that they have to dig deep to reach the rocks containing the diamond and using manual labour is making it unprofitable and difficult for them.

 

The Export of Diamonds from Ghana

The country has many rules and regulations in place to ensure that the export of diamonds takes place within the framework of Kimberley Process. Before shipments are exported, they are inspected to ensure that illegal diamonds do not make their way into the diamond markets of the world.

Nearly two-thirds of Ghana’s diamond exports are generated by the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited based at Akwatia.

Most diamond exports find their way to Belgium and The Netherlands, and from there to other parts of the world. Since the country is dealing with ‘clean diamonds’, the demand for Ghana diamonds is gradually increasing. However, to become a major player, the country still has to do a lot.

The Future of Export of Diamonds from Ghana

The production and mining of diamonds have to be streamlined. The country produces and exports mostly rough diamonds and the government has finally realised the importance of polished diamonds. The Precious Minerals Marketing Company has set up a plant for diamond cutting and polishing. This will help Ghana stop exporting rough diamonds. Furthermore, it will also generate employment, as workers will be required to polish and cut the diamonds.

If the country can add value to the diamonds before exporting them, it will increase exports and also help exporters and miners reap higher returns. This can be done if the country begins using the diamond for jewellery locally and then exporting them.

Source: http://www.gepcghana.com/diamonds.php


Must Read
http://www.ghanaembassy.nl/index.php/about-ghana/trade-and-investment/48-procedures-for-purchase-of-gold-and-diamonds.html
http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-diamonds-Ghana
https://www.facebook.com/GIAEducation
http://pmmcghana.com/diamond

 

Sports: Mario Balotelli makes cover of FourFourTwo magazine's March 2014 Issue.....

 

For more info visit:
https://twitter.com/FinallyMario

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FourFourTwo

Objects of Desire: Luxury Footwear by Land of Gold Shoes ( L.O.G)

 Paulina says: I love the way above fab shoes was shot..... very high-end and moody.

"Land of Gold shoes ( L.O.G) is a Ghanaian concept footwear brand which reflects and embodies contemporary youth culture with a classic twist. Collection takes inspiration from the iconic 1960’s era. Using timeless footwear techniques with leading – edge materials to create luxury footwear. The evolution of this iconic era is shown through stylised pieces reflecting rockabilly through to class and built to Last and Love." Land of Gold Shoes

 
 Paulina says: Wow.......... another made-in-Ghana luxury footwear label to get excited about. Land of Gold Shoes are hand-made in Ghana -and come in an elegant array of styles, textures and skins -and are a must for all stylish men-about-town. For more info visit: http://landofgoldshoes.tumblr.com/

"We are enjoying in Africa what I call the democracy dividend. The progress we are seeing, economic development are all part of the dividend of good governance, respect for human rights, rule of law. It has created an enabling environment that allows not only foreigners to come in and invest but for Ghanaians to invest. It has created an atmosphere for our young people to be creative, innovative." President John Mahama, Ghana

 

Happy Ghana Independence Day.......

 

 

God Bless our homeland Ghana ---Forever.   xxx

Haute Tamale........... Why not check out Koyla Bon Appétit on your next visit to Northern Ghana

　

 

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

"The way we see it, every day should be celebrated-- starting with the food you eat. And for us, every celebration starts with unique and inspired dishes created from the freshest ingredients available. We use the best cooking techniques and caramelize vegetables to let the natural flavours shine through. The result is great tasting, highly satisfying food that just so happens to be good for you!. At Koyla Bon Appétit, special isn’t something that comes around once a year. It’s something you’ll find here every day of the week." Koyla Bon Appétit

 

 

Paulina says: For all those who thought Ghana started in Accra and ended in Kumasi, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find out that its not the case!!! ---Even though it feels like it, there's a whole lot to see and discover before one hits the border with Burkina Faso (and Togo and Ivory Coast).. -And one such must-visit town before you hit the former Upper Volta....... is Haute Tamale in northern Ghana, now firmly on the map, due to the much feted, 'Koyla Bon Appétit' ---a new restaurant, bar and nightclub!!!!

Refusing to be left out of Ghana's rising fabulousness, Koyla Bon Appetit restaurant......has, its claimed, --done more for Tamale (usually of the beaten track) than Ghana's Tourist Board/Authority has in the last decade!!!!

Clean, cosy, friendly with a professional and fun ambiance, -Koyla Bon Appetit restaurant aka Bon Appetit ---is the first point-of-call for locals, the expat community and voluntary tourists alike --and a must for all heading to northern Ghana.

On the menu are family friendly: pizzas,sandwiches, burgers and chips, --Ghanaian cuisine for traditionalists, Chinese, Indian/Pakistani, Italian and Middle Eastern for romantics nights --and seafood for fun nights out with your peeps....

Personally, its lovely to be blogging about a restaurant of all things --in Tamale, northern Ghana!!!!

Its sooooooo refreshing... I'm thinking.......maybe, Tamale might just be the next big thing in Ghana!!!! For more information, listings, upcoming events et al visit: https://www.facebook.com/KoylaBonAppetit

 

The Gold Coast Bar & Restaurant, Amarh Pino & Ozimzim Band present -a special High-life music night on Sunday 9th March 2014....

　

Paulina says: A big congratulations to The Gold Coast Bar & Restaurant!!! They are celebrating tens years in business, no small feat in this economical climate!!!!

They are also celebrating Ghana's Independence Day in style with a traditional Ghanaian wear only themed high-life music night on Sunday 9th March 2014. For more info visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gold-Coast-Bar-Restaurant/41604263126

　

More info

The Gold Coast (TGC) Restaurant & Bar located in south London’s multi-cultural neighbourhood South Norwood offers you the ultimate gastropub experience with an Afro twist.

Our dishes and exuberant Ghanaian hospitality have been attracting visitors from all over the UK since we first opened our doors in 2004.

We are split over two floors. The main entrance leads you into our inviting main bar area with lounge seats to relax, along with table and chairs to have your meals. We have a giant screen where we show many of the major sporting fixtures and a DJ booth where, on weekends, the place comes alive with the vibrant party sounds of Africa. At the rear of the bar area is our beer garden which has tables and chairs surrounded by well-kept plants.

Upstairs is our second bar which plays host to our two-roomed restaurant able to take up to 80 people. It’s here where you can enjoy a professional table service by our attentive staff sampling a range of delightful West African dishes great to share with family and friends. We love kids too and offer a high-chair facility, kid’s menu and some simple children’s arts and crafts to do at the table whilst you wait for your food to arrive.

Whether you’re after a hearty West African meal, some appetising exotic snacks, drinks in a friendly atmosphere or out to enjoy our beer garden – The Gold Coast will be sure to warmly receive you with our traditional greeting ‘akwaaba’ or ‘welcome’