Tianjin: The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrews Tandoh, has declared that the Commission will maintain a firm stance against fronting arrangements, where foreign entities exploit Ghanaian names to unlawfully secure mineral rights. He emphasized that this practice undermines ethical standards and disempowers local communities.
According to Ghana Web, Tandoh made these remarks during the Ghana Day event at the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition held at the Meijiang Convention Centre in Tianjin, China. He acknowledged the positive impact of Chinese investors in Ghana's mining sector, highlighting their contributions to employment, productivity, safety, and skills development. However, Tandoh stressed the importance of fostering genuine partnerships that prioritize local content and value addition.
He called for transparent engagement to ensure that the growth of the mining sector equitably benefits Ghana. Reflecting on recent developments, Tandoh noted that in the past year, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama and Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Commission had revoked over 300 improperly acquired small-scale mining licenses. Additionally, District Mining Committees have been operationalized to enhance local oversight.
Tandoh outlined several measures taken by the Commission, including the review of the Minerals and Mining Act, Act 703, the revocation of LI 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves, and the introduction of a new medium-scale licensing category. He also mentioned a proposed revised royalty regime aimed at ensuring Ghana benefits more during periods of high gold prices.
He questioned whether, seventy years after independence, Ghana truly owns and benefits from its mineral wealth, emphasizing that employment does not equate to ownership, and labour is not synonymous with control. The Commission is committed to embedding local content into every mining agreement, procurement decision, and employment policy, and will enforce the laws without fear or favour.
Additionally, Tandoh announced the Commission's plans to go fully digital to enhance transparency and efficiency. He reiterated Ghana's commitment to maintaining a transparent and predictable regulatory regime capable of attracting responsible investors while safeguarding the country's mineral resources.