Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has pledged to overhaul Ghana’s mining licensing framework to address inefficiencies and regulatory loopholes that undermine the sector’s sustainability and growth.
During his vetting on January 27, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted the fragmented nature of the current system, which he said allows exploitation and non-compliance with regulations. The mining sector, a vital component of Ghana’s economy, has faced criticism for its susceptibility to abuse, creating challenges for sustainable development.
Key Issues in the Current Licensing Regime
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah noted significant flaws, including:
- Duplication in Licensing: The issuance of overlapping or redundant licenses, leading to inefficiencies.
- Loopholes in Classification: Instances where individuals hold multiple licenses for adjacent areas without being classified as large-scale miners. He explained, “One individual could hold almost 50 licenses for contagious areas, which, when combined, amounts to large-scale mining.”
These gaps, he argued, hinder proper oversight and compliance, contributing to unregulated mining activities and environmental degradation.
Plans for Reform
The Minister-Designate outlined a comprehensive approach to reform the licensing process. Key measures include:
- Streamlining Processes: Simplifying and consolidating licensing procedures to eliminate redundancies and inefficiencies.
- Reclassification of Miners: Introducing new criteria to reclassify mining activities based on scale and impact to prevent abuse of small-scale mining licenses.
- Environmental Accountability: Embedding stricter environmental guidelines in the licensing framework and holding mining companies responsible for land reclamation and pollution control.
“When I get the opportunity to be approved, I intend to conduct a holistic review of the licensing regime. This will ensure that we eliminate duplication and make the process more efficient while holding miners accountable to high environmental standards,” he stated.
Boosting Credibility and Sustainability
Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah expressed optimism that these reforms would strengthen Ghana’s mining sector, ensuring it contributes to long-term economic growth while safeguarding the environment. He emphasized the importance of credible oversight and compliance with industry best practices to attract investment and improve public trust in the sector.
With these proposed changes, the Minister-Designate aims to reposition Ghana’s mining industry as a model for sustainable resource management in Africa.
About The Author
