Lands Ministry Launches 18-Member Committee to Develop Blueprint to Reform Mining Sector
Accra, Ghana - 13 Feb, 2025 - In a bid to curb the devastating effects of illegal mining, Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has inaugurated an 18-member committee to develop a comprehensive blueprint for reforming the country's mining sector.
The committee, chaired by Professor Oteng Ababio of the University of Ghana, has been tasked with reviewing the licensing regime, assessing mining activities in forest reserves, and proposing solutions to address the sector's challenges.
The move comes as Ghana grapples with the environmental and health consequences of galamsey, a local term for artisanal mining.
Lands Minister, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah,acknowledged the mining sector's crucial role in Ghana's economic development. To maximize its benefits, he emphasized the need to eliminate excesses in the sector. As a step towards this goal, the committee comprising highly competent individuals from diverse backgrounds was inaugurated on Wednesday Feb 12, to develop a blueprint for transforming the mining sector and combating illegal mining.
The Minister expressed concern over the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana's river and forest resources, citing the alarming statistic that 15% of the country's forest reserves have been destroyed. He also highlighted the worrying fact that the water being consumed by Ghanaians is nearly poisonous, emphasizing the need for radical measures to address this issue.
President John Dramani Mahama has committed to restoring Ghana's water bodies and forest reserves to their natural state, and Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah stated his readiness to help deliver on this promise. He stated that has confidence in the committee's ability to develop an efficient blueprint to combat the destructive effects of galamsey.
On his part, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, stressed that the fight against illegal mining requires a multifaceted approach, involving broad stakeholder collaborations. He expressed optimism that Ghana, under President Mahama's leadership, will make significant progress in this fight.
Nana Agyeman Badu II, Dormahene and Representative of the National House of Chiefs, commended also the government's efforts and assured the unwavering support of Traditional Authorities. He expressed confidence in the committee's ability to deliver on its mandate. Professor Oteng Ababio, the Chairman of the committee, thanked the Ministers for their commitment and promised to deliver quality work within the two-week ultimatum.
The committee's mandate is to develop a strategy that will guide the reform of Ghana's mining sector, ensuring that it becomes a critical component of the country's economic development. The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has emphasized the need for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges facing the sector.
Source: Lead News Online
