The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has described the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) as the corner stone of the country’s mineral discovery value chain.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on a GGSA draft Legal Instrument (L.I) in Accra, he highlighted the vital importance of geoscience not only in Ghana’s development but also in mineral discovery.
Reflecting on the history of geological exploration in Ghana, the Minister noted that efforts dating back to the colonial era provided the foundation for key national assets, including hydroelectric dams, road networks, and mining centers.
Despite the passage of Act 928 in 2016 to transform the GGSA, “the full promise of the transformation has not been realized,” he acknowledged, citing challenges such as inadequate funding, high staff attrition, and weak institutional systems.
He described the draft L.I. as a critical step toward fully implementing the Act, adding, “This regulation will finally make GGSA’s relevance tangible in the everyday lives of Ghanaians.”
In his opening remarks, Acting Director-General of GGSA, Dr. Prosper Akaba, explained that the draft L.I. spans a broad range of areas, including earthquake monitoring, standards for mineral exploration, and the protection of geoheritage.
He stressed the importance of stakeholder contributions to ensure the regulations are practical, equitable, technically and legally robust.
