Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah has called for a concerted effort to transform the mining sector.
Addressing the gathering of experts, including the CEO of the Minerals Commission Heads of Departments, the Minister acknowledged the daunting task of fighting the acts and appealed for all hands to be on deck to win the fight.
The Minister in an attempt to woo the Commission’s staff members, reiterated the need for everyone to get involved for the greater good of Ghana.
Underscoring the importance of his visit, the Minister stated that the exigencies of the demands require a new approach and direction in tackling the issue of mining while protecting and sustaining the environment.
Beyond recognition of the mining sector’s contributions to the country’s economy, he observed that the Minerals Commission as a regulator must play a policing role to ensure the sustainability of the environment.
The Minister who appealed on April 7, 2025, at a meeting with the Minerals Commission in Accra said, “everyone is digging everywhere for gold, the Minerals Commission, being the regulator must ensure that the right things are done in the sector”.
Recounting his stints at the Petroleum Commission, the Minister entreated the Commission to get along not only with the licensing regime but in monitoring to ensure the right things are done.
“I established the Petroleum Commission so I know a thing or two about what the role of the regulator is”, the Minister affirmed his call.
Mr. Buah noted that his work in the Petroleum Sector had brought on board Ghana Gas, ENI, Sankofa with huge infrastructure though he claimed not to be an expert in the Oil and Gas sector.
Honourable Armah Kofi Buah entreated the staff members of the Commission to ensure that the right things are done stating, “we live in a country where everyone is going “crazy” digging everywhere in the water, in the forest, and even with those we have given license, with some holding the license with impunity yet they are still coming for more licence”.
He called for a total change in the way businesses are conducted at the Minerals Commission.
“Rather one of the things we should be noted for is when the Commission comes into mind, we should say we have very dedicated, and people with integrity ready to stand up for Ghana and ensure that people play by the rules”, the Minister disclosed.
Acknowledging the steps that have been taken to overhaul mining sector policy,the Minister was relentless in his support emphasizing the urgent need to move with the speed of light.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi bemoaned the practice and called for ways to deal with the situation.
He said he was duly told that a gold deposit had been discovered in his community’s cemetery, a matter he noted is creating a great dilemma.
However, he indicates the resolve to find a possible measure to mitigate the anomaly in the sector.
Story by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
