Lands Minster proposes overhaul of current mining licensing regime

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi-Armah Buah, has called on the Minerals Commission to become a central ally in the fight to protect Ghana’s natural resources.

The minister made this appeal during a strategic meeting held with the management and staff of the Minerals Commission, emphasizing the urgency of reforming existing regulatory structures and halting activities that have contributed to environmental degradation.

Illegal mining has remained one of the most pressing challenges confronting Ghana’s natural resource management in recent years.

Despite numerous efforts by successive governments to curb the practice, illegal mining continues to pose a significant threat to the country’s forests, farmlands, and especially its water bodies, many of which are now heavily polluted with dangerous chemicals like mercury and cyanide.

Addressing the media, the minister called for the Minerals Commission to take on a more proactive and accountable role in regulating mining activities, particularly in relation to the licensing process.

In a statement he said, “The Minerals Commission is going to support him and by the time he leaves, he is not sure they will give any more prospecting licenses. Adding that, this top-down approach to licensing must be a bottom-up approach to licensing.

He stressed that the Commission is not only a regulatory body but also a key stakeholder in the broader mission to safeguard Ghana’s environmental heritage and ensure responsible exploitation of its mineral resources.

Mr. Kofi-Armah Buah concluded saying, before they consider granting licenses, they will meet with authorities, landowners, and relevant teams, including the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adding that, this will follow the agreed community engagement process. Afterward, a recommendation will be sent to the headquarters for licensing approval.