Freetown — Ministry of mineral resources Thursday certified seven Sierra Leoneans who have undergone a six-month rigorous training in mining engineering at the University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa, Ghana.

The training came as a result of the ministry's quest of having trained and qualified young professionals to effectively carryout the activities of the ministry.

Deputy minister of mines Abdul Ignosi Koroma said the training of the eight civil engineers was the first step to secure professionals in the engineering and management positions ahead of the ministry's major reform programme.

He said the short and medium-term economic development potential from the mineral sector was greater than any other sector in the country.

"There are a number of institutional constraints within the ministry. The mines division graduate programme plus the initiative of the government are actively promoting a Sierra Leonean Diaspora capacity programme sponsored by the UNDP to address the current gaps in the ministry," he said adding that the post-graduate training would greatly promote the welfare of the ministry.