Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources Mr Samuel A. Jinapor has promised to put together a framework that will promote large-scale mining as well as enhance investment in exploration in Ghana. Indigenous Ghanaian participation in large-scale mining, he indicated, is therefore a major priority for him as he works to ensure responsible mining in the country.
Mr Jinapor who is also the Member of Parliament for Damongo constituency stated these when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Wednesday for vetting to be appointed as a minister of state.
He expressed his commitment to work with all stakeholders with the view to achieving the overarching vision of President Nana Akufo-Addo in building in Ghana, a viable, sustainable and booming mining industry for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
In addition to this, Mr Jinapor said his objective is to achieve the President’s goal of ensuring a viable, sustainable and regulated small-scale mining sector in Ghana.
“Mr. Chairman, I respectfully hold the considered view that the only route to sanitizing the small-scale mining sector is to regulate every aspect of their operations. Community Mining as a mining scheme can help us attain the goal of viable, sustainable and regulated small-scale mining industry in Ghana”, Mr Jinapor told the parliamentary committee.
According to him, regulation and enforcement of the well thought out and comprehensive legal regime on small-scale mining in Ghana will be the way to go.
“A regulated, sustainable, and robust small scale mining which has regard for the protection of the environment and water bodies in our country will be my overarching objective”, Mr Jinapor reiterated.
Speaking eloquently and brilliantly about how he intends to work with all stakeholders with the ultimate goal of attaining the noble vision of President Akufo-Addo for the efficient and sustainable management and utilization of the Lands and Natural Resources of the country, the lawmaker from Damongo Constituency gave a firm assurance to serve in honesty, integrity and with courage.
Giving further details about mining in Ghana, Mr. Jinapor called for a national debate on the structure of Ghana’s mining industry.
Currently, Ghana has a two-tier mining structure, namely small-scale and large-scale whereas other countries have a three-tier mining structure.
He called for discussion as to whether or not it will be useful to have a medium-scale sector, which will permit foreigners to participate if they invested a certain minimum capital.
Mr Jinapor referred to a position paper by the World Bank’s artisanal and small-scale formalization project, which advocated for the introduction of a medium-scale mining sector in Ghana.
Afforestation plan
The minister-designate assured the Appointments Committee that, if approved, he intends to roll out a well thought out afforestation programme, which will see massive forest cover by planting millions of trees a year.
He mentioned the remarkable intervention by Ethiopia in afforestation where the President of that country leads a tree planting exercise.
This, he said will be done in the country as the “Green Ghana Project”.
Digitisation of Lands Commission
Mr Jinapor said digitization of the records of the Lands Commission and a vigorous implementation of the new Lands Act, 2020 (Act 1036) are his priority for the Lands Sector.
He believes the effective implementation of these two interventions will help a great deal in reforming the Lands Sector.
Mr. Jinapor also promised to oversee the efficient utilization and protection of the Lands and Natural resources of Ghana since in his worlds “the Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana are the properties of the Ghanaian people vested in their President to be held in trust for their benefit”.
