"Your work will expose irregularities in licensing regime" – Lands Minister charges new nining license review committee

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has charged a newly inaugurated nine-member committee to carry out a comprehensive audit of all small-scale mining licenses in Ghana, stating, “Your work will expose irregularities in the licensing regime.”

The committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Hon. Sulemana Yusif, has been tasked with scrutinizing the licensing processes to ensure they meet legal, environmental, and financial obligations.

The review will focus on due process in license acquisition, adherence to environmental standards—including the protection of water bodies, forest reserves, and land—and the full payment of permitting fees.

Speaking during the inauguration, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized the government's commitment to sanitizing the small-scale mining sector.

“Your work will help restore confidence, expose irregularities in the licensing regime, and ensure that Ghanaians derive sustainable benefits from the sector,” he noted.

He added that although the committee is expected to complete its work within two months, he remains open to extending the timeline if necessary.

In his remarks, Committee Chair Hon. Sulemana Yusif assured the Minister of a rigorous and impartial review process. “We recognize the trust placed in us and will ensure transparency to boost investor confidence,” he said, urging all license holders to cooperate fully.

The committee draws its membership from key regulatory and stakeholder institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Minerals Commission; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Water Resources Commission; Forestry Commission; Office of the Attorney General; the Ghana Chamber of Mines; and the Association of Small-Scale Miners.

A final report is expected by June 2025, in what is seen as a pivotal move to regularize the small-scale mining sector and eliminate illegal operations.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith