The government has pledged to support the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) with resources to identify mineralized areas, assisting prospective miners in mining responsibly and sustainably.
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, made the assurance during his maiden visit to the GGSA headquarters in Accra on Thursday.
Minister Buah recognized the critical role of the GGSA in addressing the illegal small-scale mining menace and assured that his ministry would ensure the Authority operates effectively. He also promised that the Minerals Investment and Income Fund (MIIF) would allocate more funds for researching mineralized areas to enhance the GGSA’s efficiency.
The Minister emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in increasing the Authority’s internally generated funds, instead of relying solely on government support.
He acknowledged concerns about employee dissatisfaction, particularly regarding low remuneration and high staff turnover, and committed to transforming the GGSA into a more profitable and effective institution.
Buah further pledged to support the GGSA’s efforts to build staff capacity and refurbish obsolete equipment. During an open forum, staff members requested a bus for transportation and modern equipment for soil sample testing.
Some workers also raised concerns about the dangers faced by field officers when exploring mineralized areas.
A geoscientist shared an incident where a community nearly attacked field officers collecting soil samples, suggesting that the GGSA management should ensure proper communication with local assemblies and communities before sending staff into the fi
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