Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister-Designate for Lands and Natural Resources, has addressed concerns about the inefficiencies and duplication in Ghana's mining licensing system during his vetting on January 27.

He highlighted the urgent need for reform, stressing that the current framework has allowed for regulatory gaps that hinder effective oversight.

Buah pointed out that the licensing process currently permits individuals to hold multiple licenses, a practice that has led to exploitation and inefficiencies. "When I get the opportunity to be approved, I intend to conduct a holistic review of the licensing regime and I have already talked about how there is so much duplication in the issue of licenses," he explained.

One troubling example he shared involved a single individual holding nearly 50 mining licenses.