As part of efforts to decentralize the operations of Ghana’s Minerals Commission and improve oversight of mining activities, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has inaugurated a new ultra-modern office in Bibiani, located in the Bibiani/Anhwiaso/Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region.
The commissioning of this office, equipped with cutting-edge technology, represents a significant stride toward enhancing mining regulation in one of Ghana’s most resource-rich regions.
Addressing a large audience, including traditional leaders, Minerals Commission staff, and community members, Minister Jinapor emphasized the importance of the new office in ensuring efficient regulation and oversight of mining operations in the Western North Region.
The region is home to three major mining operations at Awaso, Bibiani, and Chirano, and the need for a well-equipped regulatory hub has become increasingly crucial.
“Nananom, Ladies and Gentlemen, with three large-scale mining operations within this Municipality at Awaso, Bibiani, and Chirano, it became necessary to secure a more conducive working space for the Minerals Commission.
“[This is] to effectively regulate mining operations in this area and to provide the full spectrum of mining-related services.”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The new office, according to the Minister, is tailored to meet the demands of modern mining oversight, providing the necessary infrastructure to monitor, regulate, and promote sustainable mining practices. He outlined the specific features of the building, noting its capacity to support the growing responsibilities of the Commission in the region.
For over 30 years, the Minerals Commission in Bibiani had been operating from a cramped, rented office space, which Hon. Jinapor described as a “chamber and hall” setup.
“This, obviously, impeded the recruitment of new staff to augment the work of the office,” he explained. The limitations of the previous office became even more apparent as the Minerals Commission underwent an internal restructuring, leading to an expansion of services offered at both regional and district offices.
These services now include cartography, surveying, community relations, and environmental protection, all of which play vital roles in regulating the complex mining activities in the region.
With the commissioning of this new facility, Minister Jinapor expressed confidence that the office will serve as a hub for mining oversight in the region and beyond, helping to enhance the Commission’s ability to monitor mining companies, ensure compliance with environmental regulations, and promote responsible mining practices.
Government’s Commitment to Decentralization
The establishment of the new office forms part of a broader government initiative aimed at decentralizing the operations of the Minerals Commission across Ghana.
For years, regulatory activities were heavily centralized in Accra, making it challenging for regional offices to effectively manage mining activities in their respective areas. By decentralizing the Commission, the government seeks to empower regional and district offices, giving them the resources and autonomy needed to carry out their functions more effectively.
The Bibiani office is expected to play a pivotal role in this decentralization effort. According to the Minister, the new office will not only improve the regulatory environment for mining in the Western North Region but will also serve as a model for similar offices across the country.
“The newly-constructed office is further validation of the government’s commitment to decentralization of the Minerals Commission, and it will ensure that we provide effective oversight in the Western North Region and beyond.”
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The Minister also used the opportunity to challenge the staff of the Minerals Commission to live up to the expectations placed on them. He urged them to take full advantage of the new office and work diligently to uphold the standards of the Commission.
The new facility will be instrumental in addressing key challenges in the region’s mining sector. The Western North Region has long been a focal point for large-scale mining, but it has also faced issues related to illegal mining, environmental degradation, and land disputes.
The Minister believes that the enhanced presence of the Commission, equipped with the latest technology and resources, will help address these challenges more effectively.
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