Samuel A. Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has provided strong reassurances to the mining industry in Ghana, particularly to licensed large-scale mining companies.
He affirmed the government’s resolute commitment and unwavering determination to safeguard these companies’ concessions by implementing comprehensive security measures.
Delivering a keynote address at the Mining for Development Forum held on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, the Lands Minister stressed the need for the mining companies through the Chamber of Mines to collaborate with the government to protect their concessions.
Speaking on the theme, “Ensuring the Security of Operations in Ghana; The Role of Stakeholders”, Hon. Jinapor noted that the fortunes of the large-scale mining firms have a direct bearing on the government’s economic projection hence the need for an effective coordination to grow the sector and maximize its gains and benefits to the country.
While indicating his worry with reports of illegal invasion of large-scale mining companies, the Minister outlined two important pillars on which he believes if implemented to the letter will cure the menace of encroachment on large-scale mining concessions.
He maintained that these two factors are equally important and must work in tandem to attain the objective of guaranteeing the absolute safety and protection of the concessions of large-scale mining concessions.
“There are two ways of protecting mining companies in the country. Across the world, these issues of illegalities, contentions between the locals and the investors, conglomerates or companies”, he stated.
“There are two fundamental pillars on which I believe we can chart our path. One in my view is brute enforcement. What you do with brute enforcement is that when such issues happen, you move in immediately uproot them, you sack them, arrest, prosecute and convict them”, he added.
Another aspect of securing large scale concessions, the Minister said, “is putting in place sustainable measures to carry the community with you. It is absolutely important. Any group which suggests that just by deploying law enforcement agencies will resolve issues of encroachment of large scale enforcement will not work. The enforcement is absolutely important and the principle of carrying the community along is also important”.
Hon. Jinapor also commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the program and urged them to work hand-in-hand with government to carry out short-term sustainable measures to develop their communities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Miners, Sulemana Koney in his welcome address stated that the forum will afford the various stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on the various means of ensuring the protection of concessions and contributing to the community and country development.
He commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources under the leadership of Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor for its consistent efforts in seeking to address the teething challenges of the large-scale mining firms.
The Forum also had in attendance the Deputy Minister responsible for Mining, Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Western Regional Minister, Hon. Kwabena Okyere Darko, President of the Central House of Chiefs, Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu, players and captains of the Mining Industry, some security Personnels among others.