Bawumia Engages Small-Scale Miners to Shape Mining Reforms

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has engaged the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) as part of ongoing consultations with key stakeholders on the challenges confronting the mining sector and practical reforms needed to promote responsible mining.

The engagement, held as part of efforts to shape the New Patriotic Party’s policy direction ahead of the 2028 general elections, focused on concerns raised by operators in the small-scale mining industry, including licensing, environmental protection, job creation and local value addition.

According to reports, Dr. Bawumia indicated that the views and experiences of small-scale miners would help shape the mining component of the NPP’s next manifesto, stressing the need for policies that reflect the realities confronting responsible operators.

He called on members of the association to help identify the major challenges in the sector and propose practical solutions that could support legal mining while tackling environmental destruction caused by irresponsible and illegal operations.

The consultation comes at a time when Ghana is pursuing broader reforms in the mining sector, with policymakers placing renewed emphasis on formalisation, responsible extraction and increasing the share of mining benefits retained within the country.

Stakeholders have identified issues such as delays in the issuance of licences, access to concessions, financing, technical support and environmental compliance as major challenges affecting small-scale miners.

Dr. Bawumia has previously argued that Ghana must pursue a mining model centred on “value addition and Ghanaian ownership,” while supporting the formalisation and regulation of environmentally sustainable small-scale mining.

Among policies he has previously proposed are improved access to financing for small-scale miners, the establishment of common-user gold processing facilities in mining districts, support for land reclamation and replanting, skills training and stronger local participation in the mining value chain.

The discussions also come as Ghana intensifies efforts to retain more value from its gold resources. Recent reforms have focused on strengthening local content, encouraging domestic processing and expanding opportunities for Ghanaian businesses and workers across the mining value chain.

GNASSM, the umbrella body representing registered small-scale miners in Ghana, has also been actively involved in national discussions on reforms to licensing, gold pricing and responsible mining practices.

The engagement is expected to form part of a broader series of consultations by Dr. Bawumia as he seeks input from key sectors and stakeholders into policies aimed at creating jobs, protecting the environment and ensuring that Ghana derives greater benefits from its natural resources.