The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has commissioned the newly renovated head office of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA).
The office has been equipped with modern technology, which will enable the Authority to play an effective role in Ghana’s bid to revamp its small-scale mining sector and diversify its mineral resources.
In his address at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday in Accra, the Minister stated that the government is committed to providing adequate resources for the Authority to execute its mandate.
He stated that the government, since taking office in 2017, has increased the budget of the GGSA, noting that it was a testament to the government’s commitment to upgrading the Authority.
The Minister announced that the government is amending the Minerals Development Fund Act to raise the allocation of mineral royalties from 8% to 13% which would provide the Authority with more funds to carry out its mandate.
He also disclosed that the government is conducting detailed geological investigations to identify gold deposits through the World Bank-supported Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project.
The process, a measure to fight illegal mining, will support the government’s Community Mining Scheme and improve regulation of small-scale mining.
Looking into the future, he expressed a vision for responsible mineral management by ensuring that no mining or groundwater exploitation happens without the guidance of the GGSA.
Tracy Fosua Okutu, ISD