The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor says Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, is committed to implementing appropriate regulatory, legal, fiscal, and environmental policies, to achieve the vision of the President to build a responsible, viable, sustainable and environmentally-sound mining industry anchored on integrity, transparency and good governance.
He said this move, will bring optimum benefit to the people of Ghana, who are the true owners of these minerals.
Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Irrigation and Agriculture Development (IRAD, 2022), held at the University of Development Studies in Tamale on Tuesday, Mr Jinapor highly commended the University’s attempt to find solutions to the effective management of our water resources and environmental sustainability, even in the face of increasing natural resources exploitation.
In his Keynote address, Mr Jinapor indicated that the conference comes at a time when Government has intensified its fight against illegal mining and at a point when the country is mobilizing the entire country to support an aggressive afforestation programme to contribute to global climate action.
The Minister said the impact of mining on water resources and environment is not only an issue of illegalities but a natural occurrence from exploitation of minerals and, therefore, if no action is taken on indiscriminate mining practices coupled with lack of reclamation by these miners, it will result in deforestation and land degradation across the country.
Having said this, the Minister noted that he does not suggest that the Country quits mining but rather exploit the natural resources to provide the raw materials for the development of Ghana.
“We cannot industrialize if we do not invest in the exploitation and utilization of our bauxite and other mineral resources” He pointed out.
He indicated that people in local communities, particularly women, who depend heavily on the natural environment for their sustenance, always bear the brunt of human activities that impact on the environment.
The Minister therefore admonished all mining companies, particularly the large scale companies to realize their duty towards the local community, and ensure that their operations bring optimal benefit to the communities.
“Mining companies must also, at all times, observe their duty to mine responsibly, both environmentally and socially, to minimize the impact of their operations on the environment and maximize benefits,” he added.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Damango said to be able to achieve the African Mining Vision which advocates “transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and social economic development”, there is the urgent need for stakeholders to adopt policies and regulatory framework anchored on the vision.
He further stated that the vision of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is to make Ghana the mining hub of Africa, where all mining and mining related actives, from exploration to downstream production, and from research to innovation, will be centred.
The Minister disclosed that his Ministry in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General is working to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) to expressly prohibit the manufacture, sale, supply and use of the floating device, “changfans.”
Touching on the recent tragic incident at Appiatse, he said government has decided to build the Community into a Modern, Green and Sustainable community, stressing that in the medium to long term period the new Appiatse township will become the model of mining communities and rural development in Ghana.
