The Ghana Chamber of Mines has called for greater collaboration and flexibility in the ongoing review of the Minerals and Mining Act, urging government and stakeholders to adopt an inclusive approach that balances national development goals with industry sustainability.
Speaking at the Mining and Minerals Convention in Accra, the Chamber’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ahmed Nantogmah, stressed that the review process must safeguard the interests of companies, workers, and communities while aligning with Ghana’s long-term development agenda.
He underscored that inclusive policies were critical to the sector’s long-term stability. He noted that the Chamber remains committed to working closely with government and stakeholders to ensure the revised Minerals and Mining Act is both forward-looking and responsive to the needs of the industry, communities, and the nation.
Touching on key development areas, Mr. Nantogmah urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to expedite action on the development of the western rail line to enhance business efficiency. He suggested that the government should “bring on board the owners of the trucks that haul the manganese to be part of the rail line development, so they don’t lose their livelihoods when the rail lines are done,” Mr. Nantogmah said.
In his presentation, Mr. Nantogmah highlighted several priority areas for reform. He called for sustained investment in geological exploration to expand the country’s mineral potential and attract new investments. Further, he emphasized the need to streamline and regulate the small-scale mining sector to maximize revenue contributions while reducing environmental and social impacts.
The Chief Operating Officer reiterated the call for the passage of a minerals revenue management act to ensure that mineral revenues are managed transparently and used effectively for sustainable national development. He expressed the Chamber’s support for the Goldbod’s corporate social investment initiative, describing it as a progressive model for channeling mining revenues into structured community development programmes that improve livelihoods in host communities.
Story By: Anne-Marie Deedei Ayerson
