Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to allocate a minimum of GH₵10 million annually to the Geological Survey Authority. This initiative aims to enhance the benefits Ghanaians gain from the exploration of the nation’s mineral resources.
Dr. Bawumia criticized the current practice of issuing prospecting licences to companies, which often leads to environmental degradation due to a “trial and error” approach to mineral discovery.
“We intend to resource the Geological Survey Department with at least GH₵10 million every year to locate the minerals. This will prevent the trial-and-error process of exploring minerals which destroy the environment.”
According to Dr. Bawumia, the Geological Survey Department has already pinpointed specific mineral locations, which would streamline the operations of exploration companies. Building on this, he plans to introduce a community mining scheme with a support system to aid in mineral extraction. “We will initiate the community mining scheme and provide them with a common user facility for them to mine,” he announced during a campaign stop in the Akwatia constituency.
Dr. Bawumia said he believes there is a need to involve chiefs in the mineral licensing process, advocating for their participation in future small-scale mining operations.
“In the mining licensing process, we have to involve the chiefs, if not, it will not end well for the country. We also have to provide for an equity stake of the chiefs in the concessions,” he added.
