Omanghana
The Minerals Commission of Ghana has stepped up efforts to eliminate foreign fronting in the country’s mining industry as part of reforms intended to strengthen Ghanaian ownership and participation.
Chief Executive Officer Isaac Andrews Tandoh warned against arrangements in which foreign investors use Ghanaian individuals or companies as nominees to obtain mineral rights and licences reserved for citizens.
According to the Commission, merely employing Ghanaians does not amount to local ownership. Genuine participation must give domestic operators meaningful control, decision-making authority and a fair share of the economic benefits generated by the sector.
The crackdown forms part of a broader effort to clean up mining regulation. The Commission says more than 300 small-scale mining licences acquired through irregular means have been revoked. District Mining Committees have also been empowered to scrutinize applications and improve monitoring at the local level.
A medium-scale mining licences category has been introduced to bridge the gap between small- and large-scale operations, creating opportunities for qualified Ghanaian businesses to expand their activities. Minerals Commission
The government has also reviewed the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with Cabinet approving proposed amendments aimed at strengthening oversight, tackling illegal mining and increasing community involvement. The amendments are expected to go through the parliamentary process.
Other measures include the revocation of Legislative Instrument 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves, and the incorporation of stronger local-content requirements into mining agreements and procurement arrangements.
The Commission maintained that Ghana remains open to responsible international investment, including partnerships with Chinese and other foreign investors. It stressed, however, that such investments must comply with national laws and result in genuine partnerships, local value addition, skills development and measurable economic benefits for Ghanaians.
Source: Omanghana
