Ghana to Implement U.N. Resolution on Banning Illicit Diamond Trade

The Ghanaian government has decided to take measures to implement provisions of a U.N. Security Council resolution on banning the illicit trade of diamonds from Sierra Leone, the Ghana News Agency reported Wednesday.

Several governmental departments have been directed to take joint measures to check and trace transit and purchase of illicit diamonds originating from Sierra Leone, according to a statement released in the capital Accra on Tuesday.

These departments include the Ministry of the Interior and Roads and Transport, the Minerals Commission, Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority and Ghana Immigration Service.

The government noted that all U.N. member states are to co-operate to ban the illicit diamond trade which funds the purchase of arms by rebel factions in Sierra Leone.

Earlier this year, the U.N. Security Council adopted the resolution and requested member states to take appropriate measures to abide by it.

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