The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mining, George Mireku Duker, has challenged the management of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) to develop a comprehensive and strategic plan that will ensure a complete transformation of the authority.

According to him, he is concerned that the GGSA which has the capacity to be a major revenue source for the Ministry and to a large extent the country, has failed to meet it expectations.

Speaking during a working visit to the GGSA, Mr Duker expressed confidence in the current management led by Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle to implement policies and initiatives that will ensure the fortunes of the GGSA takes an upward trajectory.

He stated that the 10-year transformational policy will serve as a guide and plan for not just the current administration, but future management on how to revamp the GGSA and reposition it as a ‘cash cow’ for government and the country.

Furthermore, Mr Duker revealed that the time has come for a paradigm shift in the activities of the GGSA. In light of this, he stated that Mr Mwinbelle is more than capable of leading that charge.

He explained that the GGSA can position itself as the first institution of contact for investors who seek knowledge about Ghana’s mining industry and the opportunities therein.

Moreover, he assured that the Ministry will continue to support the GGSA and help it accomplish it objectives.

“When someone is moving into the country as an investor to mine, I believe the first point of call should be the GGSA. I want the Director-General to add his vision to what his predecessors achieved. The fundamentals are clear, and we need to build on. I believe government is ready to resource this institution to the pedestal that we want.

“Let’s have a masterplan. If you could develop a 10-year masterplan to cut the path for all of us to follow, that this is the GGSA we want to see in ten years. It is very important and key for this institution.”
George Mireku Duker

Activities embarked on by GGSA

On his part, the Director-General of the GGSA, Mr Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, welcomed the counsel from Mr Mireku Duker and indicated some activities embarked on by his outfit to develop the GGSA.

He listed that the GGSA has been collaborating with the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) for on-shore prospecting for oil in various parts of the country.

Additionally, Mr Mwinbelle disclosed that the GGSA, in an attempt to strengthen its relationship with the media and Ghanaians, has been holding regional workshops to train media practitioners on the mandate of the GGSA and seismic occurrences.

It will be recalled that a day’s capacity-building workshop about the mandate and activities of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) was held for some selected media practitioners in the northern sector.

On Thursday, 31 August 2023, the GGSA held a sensitization program for over forty journalists in the northern sector to educate them on the earthquake and other seismic activities.

The Director-General of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Mr. Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, gave detailed presentation, that captured the history of the GGSA, its mandate, activities and policies that will enable it execute its mandate effectively. He equally shed light on the role the media plays in providing accurate information about earthquake and seismic activities in the country.

Moreover, Mr Mwinbelle explained that the GGSA is looking to partner media houses across the country to sensitize Ghanaians on the safety measures to deploy in the wake of earthquakes.