Ghana’s diamond production the first half of 2008 was 395,236 carats, marking a fall of 22 per cent from production of 504,363 carats in the first half of 2007.  According to a Ghana Chamber of Mines statistics, the revenue generated from this production also fell by over a fifth at 21 per cent. 

"With the increasing cost of inputs, particularly electric power, the challenges the mining companies faced in the period will continue at least in the near term," warns a spokesman for the Chamber of Mines. 

The Chamber of Mines is the peak minerals industry association in Ghana. The Chamber represents the collec¬tive interests of companies involved in mineral exploration, production and processing in Ghana. 

Its activities are entirely funded by its member compa¬nies, which produce over 90 percent of the nation's mineral output.