Decade Without Regulations Ends as GGSA Gets New Legal Framework

The Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) has entered a new phase of institutional development following the coming into force of seven legislative instruments governing critical areas of its operations.

These include L.I. 2526, which covers the categorisation of large-scale geological maps; L.I. 2527, which provides for earthquake monitoring and seismic investigations; and L.I. 2528, a regulation governing geological information and licensing agreements.

The remaining instruments are L.I. 2529, which regulates ground investigations; L.I. 2530, which establishes geoscientific standards and codes of practice; and L.I. 2531, a governance instrument that empowers the Authority to designate geoheritage and geological heritage sites. The seventh instrument, L.I. 2532, regulates mineral resource exploration up to the pre-feasibility study stage.

The coming into force of the seven instruments provides the Authority with a clearer legal and technical foundation to regulate, conduct research and provide geoscientific advice.

The regulations, approved for commencement by Parliament pursuant to Article 11(7) of the 1992 Constitution, end a period of approximately 10 years during which the Authority operated without a comprehensive regulatory framework.

Under the leadership of Dr. Prosper Akaba, Director-General of the Authority, efforts have been advanced to address the longstanding regulatory gap and establish a comprehensive legal and technical framework for the Authority’s operations. Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and other relevant stakeholders, these efforts have culminated in the approval and commencement of the seven instruments, ending approximately a decade without a comprehensive regulatory framework.

“These Regulations mark a turning point in the history of an institution whose work has implications for mineral development, environmental protection, land-use planning and public safety,” noted Dr. Prosper Akaba, Director-General of GGSA. He commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for his leadership and instrumental role in facilitating the achievement of this remarkable feat.

Stakeholders across Ghana’s geoscientific community have welcomed the regulatory instruments, describing their introduction as a significant policy intervention aimed at strengthening the governance, sustainability and long-term development of the country’s extractive sector.

The GGSA traces its origin to 1913, when it was established as the Gold Coast Geological Survey. It transitioned into the Geological Survey Department in 1962 and then the Ghana Geological Survey Authority under Act 928 in 2016.