For small-scale miners across Ghana, the promise of better opportunities, modern equipment, and secure livelihoods has been hanging in the balance for years.
The Small-Scale Mining Incubation Programme was designed to breathe new life into Ghanaian-owned mining companies, helping them grow from small, often informal operations into competitive, mid-tier businesses. But before it could make a real impact, the programme stalled, leaving miners and their communities still waiting for the boost they desperately needed.
Now, the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union (GMWU) is stepping in with a strong call on the government to revive the programme immediately, emphasizing that it could unlock jobs, skills, and economic opportunities for ordinary Ghanaians who keep the mining industry alive.
Speaking on behalf of the Union, Deputy General Secretary Jerry Andoh highlighted the programme’s transformative potential. “We lauded Government’s plan to introduce what it termed the ‘Minerals Income Investment Fund Small Scale Mining Incubation Programme’ with an allocated budget of GH₵354 million to help transform wholly owned Ghanaian Small Scale Mining companies into mid-tier to large-scale companies,” Andoh said.
The initiative had earmarked up to 30% of its budget for equity capital to select firms, providing local operators with the financial backing needed to expand operations, modernize equipment, and compete on a level playing field with multinational companies. For miners and their families, this support could mean more secure jobs, better wages, and a chance to thrive in their communities rather than watch profits flow abroad.
The programme was introduced by the previous government in December 2021, took effect on 1st February 2022, and was planned to run over 24 months. However, little progress was made before the administration left office, leaving a potentially transformative initiative in limbo. According to the GMWU, this delay has stalled opportunities for thousands of Ghanaian miners who were meant to benefit from the scheme.
Andoh also stressed that reviving the programme alone is not enough; it must be paired with strong governance, accountability, and proper attention to worker welfare.
“Most local entities particularly in the industry are not attentive to corporate governance, CSR, and the wellbeing of workers as compared to their foreign counterparts,” he said, urging the government and regulators to ensure high standards are upheld and that workers are protected.
The union also used the opportunity to highlight broader concerns in the mining sector, including fair labor practices, corporate responsibility, and protection for workers. Ignoring these issues, they warned, could undermine growth, stability, and the long-term success of any mining initiative in Ghana.
