The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has collaborated with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology to establish a committee to develop a blueprint to reform the mining sector.
The 18-member committee, Chaired by Professor Oteng Ababio of the University of Ghana, has been given a two-week ultimatum to develop a strategy that would help achieve this objective.
The committee is made up of experts from:; * The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, * Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, * Forestry Commission * Environmental Protection Agency * Minerals Commission * Centre for Extractive Development - Africa (CEDA) representing Civil Society * Ghana Chamber of Mines * Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners * Water Resources Commission * The Ghana Armed Forces * The Ghana Police Service * National House of Chiefs * Lands Commission * Ghana Geological Survey Authority * Technical Directors of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources - Mines, Forestry and Lands.
In accordance with its terms of reference, the committee will, among other things, will review the licensing regime and procedures in the mining industry, assess mining activities in forest reserves, suggest methods to stop mining in water bodies and propose solutions to address issues facing the mining sector.
