Today, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources received a formal petition from the traditional leadership of the North East Region, calling on government to reform mining operations through strategic partnerships.
Submitted by the Overlord and elders of the area, the petition advocates for collaboration between the Traditional Council, the State, and potential investors to drive responsible and sustainable mineral extraction for the benefit of local communities.
The delegation highlighted economic losses caused by entities holding prospecting licences for over 16 years without commencing mining operations. According to the traditional leaders, formalising the Region’s gold mining sector would curb illegal operations, reduce environmental damage, stem youth migration through local job creation, and generate essential tax and royalty revenues for the State.
In response, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP), said the petition aligns with ongoing legislative reforms aimed at eliminating speculative licensing. The Minister disclosed that a new mining bill currently before Cabinet will introduce strict performance evaluations, mandating the revocation of prospecting licences after non-performance reviews, to allow active investors access to the concessions.
The Minerals Commission has committed to immediate action on the petition. Mr. Isaac Tandoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, confirmed that a technical team will conduct field assessments in the area to evaluate the legal status of existing titles, inspect the concessions, and draft a structured operational framework to advance the proposed partnership.
To ensure swift execution, the Ministry and the Minerals Commission have nominated representatives to lead coordination for the successful implementation of the project. Both government officials and traditional leaders expressed confidence that replacing illegal mining with a structured, large-scale enterprise will safeguard the local environment while delivering transformative economic opportunities to the people of the North East Region.
END.
