The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a new national drive to give Ghanaian communities more control over the country’s mineral wealth. Under a revamped Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, the government says it is shifting ownership of mining operations from a few dominant players to ordinary Ghanaians.
The initiative, which forms part of a broader Local Content Empowerment strategy, was outlined during the Government Accountability Series. According to the Minister, the aim is to place local workers and communities “in the driving seat” of mining—moving away from traditional models that have left Ghanaians as mere labourers on their own land.
“We want Ghanaians to move from the back of the bus to the driver’s seat,” Mr. Buah stated. “This is about empowering our people to take ownership, not just of the minerals beneath their feet, but of the knowledge, tools and opportunities to benefit from them.”
He explained that the initiative focuses on four key areas:
- boosting local participation in the mining value chain,
- providing targeted training for small-scale and community miners,
- ensuring environmentally responsible practices, and
- supporting local entrepreneurs to build mining-related businesses.
According to him, President John Dramani Mahama is fully behind the programme, which seeks to build a more inclusive and sustainable mining industry. “This is a major economic transformation agenda. It’s about equipping our youth, especially in mining communities, with the skills and structures they need to thrive,” the Minister said.
As part of the pilot, 127 young people have so far received start-up kits and training through partnerships with AngloGold Ashanti and the German development agency GIZ. These beneficiaries are being supported to undergo apprenticeships and start their own businesses in mining-related fields.
The Minister also revealed that the government is facilitating the creation of community-based mining cooperatives. These cooperatives, he said, will be given legal concessions, access to shared processing facilities, and training in modern extraction and water treatment technologies.
“We’re not just talking about mining. We’re talking about doing it the right way—by the people, for the people, and in harmony with the environment,” he added.
He said the Ministry will also enforce stronger local content and procurement regulations to ensure that mining inputs, services, and contracts benefit Ghanaians directly. “We are laying the foundation for Ghana to become a beacon of responsible and inclusive mining across Africa,” Mr. Buah concluded.
By Bawa Musah
Leave a Comment