Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a Large-Scale Mining Audit Committee in a landmark step to tackle irregularities and strengthen regulatory oversight across the mining industry.
The move signals the government’s commitment to transforming one of the nation’s most vital economic sectors, ensuring it delivers greater value for both the state and affected communities.
At a ceremony to launch the initiative, Hon. Buah emphasized that while government reforms have already begun to reshape small-scale mining, the time had come to focus squarely on the large-scale segment.
This segment, he noted, contributes significantly to national revenues and foreign exchange earnings but has also faced longstanding challenges related to compliance, governance, and accountability.
“This is a very critical area, and we must ensure that all irregularities and challenges are tackled head-on.
“On behalf of President Mahama, I urge you to work with us to sanitize the industry.”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The newly established committee will review a wide range of issues including exploration rights, land tenure agreements, environmental and social compliance, safety permits, resettlement approvals, and fiscal obligations such as royalties and taxes.
According to Hon. Buah, the audit is not only about detecting irregularities but also about reshaping Ghana’s mining governance framework. “We are determined to completely transform the Minerals Commission, and this audit is the beginning of that transformation,” he declared.
Community Voices Central to Reform
A central theme of the Minister’s address was the importance of involving communities in decision-making. Too often, he argued, local stakeholders have been excluded from processes that directly affect their lives.
“Communities must be heard.
“How can they know what is happening when their voices are ignored? This is what the whole process is about.”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Community relations remain one of the most sensitive aspects of mining in Ghana. Tensions around land use, resettlement, and environmental degradation have at times led to conflicts between companies and local residents.
The Minister’s remarks suggest that government intends to make inclusiveness a cornerstone of mining sector reform.
The audit also reflects a broader institutional agenda. The Minerals Commission, Ghana’s lead regulator for the mining sector, has faced criticism in recent years over enforcement capacity and oversight gaps.
The Minister expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to deliver tangible results, describing its work as the first step toward “a transformation aimed at strengthening the Minerals Commission and restoring integrity to Ghana’s mining governance framework.”
Industry experts argue that a thorough audit of large-scale operations could help Ghana optimize revenues at a time when the country faces fiscal pressures and rising demand for greater accountability in resource management.
The Minister did not provide a timeline for the completion of the audit but signaled that government intends to act swiftly once findings are presented.
Stakeholders across the sector, from multinational operators to civil society groups are expected to be consulted as part of the process.
Observers say the initiative could serve as a test case for broader reforms in Ghana’s extractive industries, particularly as the government works to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and community welfare.
“We have made progress in small-scale mining. Now we must bring the same energy, transparency, and accountability to large-scale operations.
“This is how we will secure the sector’s future and ensure it benefits all Ghanaians.”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
For Hon. Buah, the message was clear: this audit is not a one-off exercise but the start of a new era for Ghana’s mining governance.
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