The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that host communities benefit directly from the proceeds of mining activities under a new policy direction.
Speaking on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning Show on Monday, September 1, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Paa Kwasi Schandorf, said the government is determined to correct long-standing inequities that have left mining communities excluded from the economic gains of resource extraction.
Profit-Sharing and Local Content
“This is basically the new approach now,” Mr. Schandorf explained. “There is a profit-sharing formula. What we do not want is a situation where mining prospecting and excavation are successful, yet the proceeds do not benefit the local people. That has always been a problem.”
According to him, the Ministry’s new policy places strong emphasis on local content developmentand ensuring that mining revenues translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of residents in mining areas.
Infrastructure and Social Development
Mr. Schandorf stressed that proceeds from mining must contribute to improving roads, schools, health facilities, and other essential social amenities in host communities.
“If mining is done within a particular place, it should naturally be able to help them amend their roads that have become problematic,” he said.
He added that the government’s new approach would channel mining revenues into projects that directly enhance infrastructure, education, and livelihoods.
“Those who have issues with educational facilities, social amenities – all of those things should be prepped up after the proceeds have been obtained. We will detail it as we progress,” he assured.
