The Minerals Commission has concluded its nationwide stakeholder consultations on the review of Ghana’s Mining Policy and proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with a final engagement held on June 25 in Tarkwa.
The session, hosted at the Golden Gift Hotel, brought together members of the Tarkwa Zone of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM). It was chaired by Mr. Isaac Andrews Tandoh, Deputy CEO in charge of Small-Scale and Industrial Minerals at the Commission.
The Tarkwa meeting marked the final phase of consultations with small-scale miners, following earlier regional engagements in Koforidua, Kumasi, and Tamale, which included miners from all 16 regions.
In addition to these regional meetings, the Review Committee previously engaged civil society organizations, academia, and relevant institutions in Accra, as well as the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
During the Tarkwa session, participants received two key presentations. The first, delivered by Mr. Benjamin Aryee—Chairman of the Review Committee and former CEO of the Commission—outlined the draft review of the 2014 Mining Policy.
The second, presented by Mr. Josef Iroko, Manager of Legal Affairs, detailed proposed amendments to Act 703.
GNASSM members raised several concerns during the consultation. Key among them were calls for stricter timelines in the processing of licences, limiting the role of traditional authorities in licensing to consultation only, ensuring support service licences remain valid for one year, and instituting measures to prevent unapproved charges by chiefs. These issues were acknowledged by the Committee for consideration in the final policy review.
In his closing remarks, Professor Jerry Samuel Yaw Kuma, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, urged GNASSM to maintain unity and avoid divisions within its ranks.
He noted that the government is committed to deepening consultations with traditional authorities in the licensing process and is working to introduce cooperative mining models to formalize operations and curb illegal mining.
Mr. Tandoh encouraged GNASSM to submit a written proposal within two weeks and advised members to take advantage of ongoing government initiatives aimed at strengthening the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sub-sector.
Other officials present at the event included Mr. Emmanuel Kwamena Anyimah, Deputy CEO, Support Services; Mr. Nelson Ahedor, Director of Small Scale and Industrial Minerals; Dr. Ahmed Tijani, Head of Corporate Affairs and IT; Mr. Eric Emmanuel Bukari, Manager, Small Scale and Industrial Minerals; and Mr. Kwame Ahumah, Acting Head of Mines at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
