Suspend mining in Ghana for one year so as to make room for a review of the legal regime governing the sector, the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has suggested.
He says that such a move would give regulators and the government time to review the legal regime governing the sector.
He also called for the decoupling of the Minerals Commission from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources so that the Commission has a free hand to operate.
The Okyenhene made this call when Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, paid a courtesy call on him on Thursday (27 May).
The visit took place during the minister’s two-day tour of the Eastern Region.
According to Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, it is important that the government resource the Minerals Commission adequately, so that it can meet its mandate effectively.
Touching on the remuneration of workers in the sector, the Okyenhene argued that the pay gap between Ghanaian mineworkers and miners in other countries is too wide and must be looked at critically.
The minister said he had noted all the issues and concerns raised by the Okyenhene and that they would be the subject of further deliberations and consideration.
