By Felix Cofie
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, says he is going to reset the Minerals Commission by overhauling its operations and changing the licensing regime currently operated by the commission. In a stern caution to staff of the Minerals Commission over the indiscriminate issuance of licenses to Small scale miners, he said that cannot be tolerated any longer. The sector minister noted that a bottom-up approach to regulate the issuance of licenses is going to be the new approach.
Mr Armah Buah made these remarks when he paid an official visit to the Minerals Commission for the first time since assuming office to meet with management and staff.
He said “We campaigned on resetting Ghana so we need to reset the Minerals Commission.
Anybody who stands our way must start packing because we will not take it lightly with you”, he cautioned.
He also lamented about how small Scale miners violate the laws with impunity adding that after securing the prospecting license, they dig everywhere including close to water bodies.
He stressed the need for officials of the Minerals Commission to act as police officers to ensure that the right things are done to protect the environment.
“You have to change your way of doing things at the Minerals Commission. We need people with dedicated commitment and integrity who can stand for Ghana in this regard”, Hon. Armah Buah stressed
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