Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to allocate at least GH₵10 million annually to the Geological Survey Authority as part of the NPP’s strategy to enhance the benefits Ghanaians derive from the country’s mineral resources.
Dr. Bawumia criticized the current practice of granting prospecting licenses to companies that search for minerals through a “trial and error” approach, which he argues leads to significant environmental degradation.
“We plan to allocate a minimum of GH₵10 million each year to the Geological Survey Authority to accurately identify mineral deposits. This will eliminate the harmful trial-and-error methods currently used in mineral exploration,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He emphasized that the Geological Survey Authority has already pinpointed the specific locations of various minerals, which will streamline the work of exploration companies. Building on this foundation, his administration plans to launch a community mining scheme with a support system to facilitate responsible mineral exploration.
“We will initiate a community mining scheme and provide a common user facility to support the mining activities,” Dr. Bawumia announced while campaigning in the Akwatia constituency.
To ensure effective and sustainable mining practices, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the importance of involving local chiefs in the mineral licensing process. He proposed that chiefs should have a stake in future small-scale mining operations to secure their involvement and ensure the success of these ventures.
“In the mining licensing process, it is crucial to involve our chiefs; otherwise, it could have negative consequences for the country. We must also provide equity stakes for chiefs in the concessions,” Dr. Bawumia added.
