A proposal by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) to temporarily halt all mining activities in Ghana until a robust framework is established to ensure the country benefits more from its mineral resources has sparked strong opposition from the Ghana National Chamber of Mines.
Before the Chamber could respond, Justice Sophia Akufo, a Distinguished Fellow at the IEA and former Chief Justice, voiced her deep concern over Ghana’s continued inability to secure a fair share of its vast mineral wealth.
She stressed that despite decades of mining, the nation has yet to fully benefit from its natural resources, with much of the revenue flowing out of the country due to weak policies and unfavorable agreements.
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Audio PlayerHowever, Albert Ahmed Nantogmah, the Director of External Relations and Communications for the Chamber of Mines, has firmly pushed back against the proposal.
While acknowledging the need for better policies, he argued that a complete halt to mining would be extremely difficult to implement and could have severe economic consequences.
“Mining contributes significantly to Ghana’s economy, providing jobs, revenue, and foreign exchange earnings. Shutting down the entire sector, even temporarily, would not only disrupt the industry but also negatively impact local communities and government revenue,” Nantogmah stated.
He further explained that instead of a total suspension, a more balanced approach should be adopted—one that strengthens existing policies and negotiations without jeopardizing investments, employment, and national income.
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Audio PlayerStory by: Osei Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #ahotoronline.com/oseiakotor1@gmail.com
