Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is pushing forward an ambitious agenda to reposition Ghanaians at the center of the mining industry through an enhanced local content policy and a reformed approach to small-scale mining.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, stated that Ghana is entering a new era where Ghanaians will no longer be sidelined in their own resource sector.
He emphasized that the government is committed to moving citizens from the margins of the mining industry to positions of leadership, ownership, and full participation.
“Our aim is to ensure that Ghanaians are not merely passengers but are firmly in the driver’s seat of the mining industry.
“We must empower our people not only to participate in large-scale mining but to lead in procurement, ownership, and technical expertise.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
To that end, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Chamber of Mines, has completed the annual review of the fifth edition of the local procurement and leasing compliance framework under Regulation LI 2434.
The review aims to strengthen local content policies and increase the value retained in-country from mining activities.
The Minister noted that this move is a deliberate strategy to build capacity, promote Ghanaian businesses, and ensure that the benefits of the country’s mineral wealth are equitably shared.
In a significant policy shift, Hon. Buah also announced the transformation of the Community Mining Scheme and the National Employment and Livelihood Program (NELP) into a newly consolidated initiative: the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program.
This flagship reform is designed to revamp the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector with a focus on structure, accountability, and environmental sustainability.
According to the Minister, the new program draws on lessons from past initiatives while building a stronger foundation for community-led mining ventures.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that mining communities are not just beneficiaries of token concessions but are granted genuine ownership over resources in their areas.
“When we say we are negotiating with large-scale mining companies to carve out locations for community mining, we mean that communities must truly own these operations.
“This goes beyond rhetoric, it’s about providing them with the skills, the legal framework, and the tools to mine responsibly and sustainably.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Formalized Community Mining
A key component of the initiative is the formalisation of community-based mining cooperatives.
These cooperatives will receive technical training, legal concessions, and access to shared processing facilities equipped with modern gold recovery technologies and water treatment systems.
The approach is meant to reduce environmental degradation while improving safety and production efficiency in the ASM sector.
Already, the program has recorded early successes. In partnership with AngloGold Ashanti and the German development agency GIZ, the Ministry has trained and supported 127 young people with start-up kits for apprenticeship and technical skills development.
“The program will foster the creation of locally owned mining cooperatives, providing members with professional training, legal concessions, and access to share processing for facilities equipped with modern recovery technologies and water treatment systems.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The objective, according to Hon. Buah, is not just job creation, but to equip young Ghanaians with the tools to become entrepreneurs in a sector that has long been dominated by foreign interests or informal, often dangerous practices.
He described the reform as a necessary turning point in Ghana’s mining policy, one that acknowledges the legitimate role of artisanal miners while addressing the problems of illegal mining, environmental destruction, and economic marginalisation.
The Minister’s remarks mark a significant shift in tone and substance in the government’s approach to mining. Rather than focusing exclusively on enforcement or macro-level investment deals, the Ministry is placing renewed emphasis on grassroots ownership and community empowerment.
“We are confident that these reforms will reshape our mining landscape, one that puts Ghanaians first while safeguarding our environment for future generations.”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
As the government prepares to roll out the legislative and regulatory frameworks for these initiatives, industry watchers will be looking for consistent enforcement and tangible improvements in livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
For now, the Ministry’s ambitious vision promises a more inclusive and accountable future for Ghana’s mining sector.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s Mobile Money Borrowing Surges: 22% of Adults Now Rely on It – World Bank
