In a decisive step toward deepening regional cooperation and strengthening governance in the extractive sector, a high-level delegation from Sierra Leone’s Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), under the Office of the President, has commenced a two-day study tour at Ghana’s Minerals Commission.
The visit, taking place from April 27 to 28, is aimed at advancing institutional reform and enhancing administrative capacity within Sierra Leone’s mining sector. It underscores growing efforts across West Africa to promote transparency, efficiency, and sustainable resource management.
At the heart of the engagement is an in-depth examination of Ghana’s mining administration framework, widely regarded as one of the most robust in the region. Particular attention is being given to the Mining Cadastre Administration System (MCAS) and Ghana’s structured licensing regime, two key pillars credited with improving regulatory oversight and reducing irregularities in the sector.
Welcoming the delegation, Madam Victoria Awuni, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Policy Planning, Mineral Titles and Local Content at the Minerals Commission, emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing across borders.
“We are honoured to host our Sierra Leonean counterparts. We are confident that the robust systems we have built, particularly our digital cadastre and tiered licensing regime, will accelerate their reform agenda,” she stated.
Discussions have focused on the operational framework of MCAS, the administration of mineral titles, and the legal processes governing mineral rights allocation in Ghana. These systems have played a critical role in promoting transparency, enhancing accountability, and leveraging digital tools to curb illegal mining activities.
As part of the tour, the delegation visited the Commission’s state-of-the-art control room, a 24-hour monitoring facility that tracks earth-moving equipment used in mining operations. Through geo-fencing technology, the system ensures that machinery operates strictly within designated concessions, helping to prevent unauthorized mining and environmental degradation.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit under Sierra Leone’s Office of the President, commended Ghana for its progress in sector governance.
He noted that Sierra Leone is actively restructuring its public sector to enhance efficiency and accountability, adding that Ghana’s model offers a proven pathway for transforming mineral wealth into sustainable national development.
The study tour also includes a field visit to a large-scale mining operation, where the delegation will gain firsthand insight into Ghana’s regulatory enforcement mechanisms, environmental safeguards, and community engagement practices.
The visit is expected to conclude on April 28, with both countries expressing commitment to sustained collaboration through technical exchanges and joint capacity-building initiatives, signalling a renewed drive toward responsible mining and stronger institutional frameworks across the sub-region.
