Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has assured management and staff of Geological Survey Department (GSD) that he will transform the department into a semi-autonomous body during his tenure.

He was optimistic the conversion, which is captured in the amendment to the Survey Act 127 (1962) and currently being finalised for Cabinet consideration, will enhance morale of staff and position the GSD to access the requisite funding to re-tool the department to identify the exact location and grade of all mineral deposits in the country.

“If the exact locations of these minerals are known, government could curtail the issue of exploration or reconnaissance licenses to prospective investors in the mining sector and thereby stem the loss of tax revenue associated with some mining companies who have held on to their exploration licenses for several decades,” the minister said.

Hon. Fuseini gave the assurance during an interaction with management and staff of GSD as part of his familiarisation tour of agencies under the ministry. The tour provided the minister with the opportunity to discuss some challenges confronting the GSD and some possible solutions with the staff.

Hon. Fuseini underscored the immense contribution of the GSD to the national development agenda through the discovery of all mineral deposits in the country (apart from the Gold deposits in Obuasi) and oil resources as well as the provision of vital feasibility information to pave way for the construction of various landmark infrastructure projects including all the nation’s three hydroelectric plants (Akosombo, Kpong & Bui dams.

“I will work together with you every step of the way to ensure that you meet your corporate objectives and aspirations,” he said. Mr. John Adjei-Duodu, Director of GSD, recounted the immense contribution made by the department to the economic wealth of the country and stated that due credit is not given by the state during the commission of projects initiated with the assistance of GSD.

GSD discovered 2 main sub divisions of the world geological classifications namely the Birimian and Tarkwaian, and completed construction work on the Central Seismic observatory, installed seismic equipment as well as strong motion equipment at six vantage points across the country.

The department has completed geochemical mapping of large parts of the Eastern/ Ashanti Region. Apart from new Geological Map of Ghana launched in February 2011 in collaboration with the German Geological Survey, the department has also published a number of bulletins, memoirs, mineral exploration reports, as well as the geological and hydro-geological maps of Ghana.

Mr. Adjei-Duodo explained that the operations of the Department has been bedeviled by the lack of funds to procure vital equipment and indicated that poor remuneration package for staff had also pushed away many experienced officers.