The Government of Ghana has plans to deal decisively with proxy contract mining operators, according to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.

The Minister assured the leadership of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) of government’s commitment to putting adequate measures in place to regularly monitor the activities of all stakeholders, for the sake of streamlining mining operations in the country.

The assurance from the Minister follows a campaign being waged by civil society and other key stakeholders for the introduction of a local content policy by government in the management and control of the mining industry.

The new policy, once properly introduced, will create avenues for full participation of Ghanaians in the country’s mining industry.

The policy, according to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, will sanitise the mining industry and allow only serious local mining companies to operate and partner with foreign firms for the growth of the industry.

At a brief interaction with the leadership of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, led by the Secretary General, Abdul Moomin Gbana, in his office as part of stakeholder consultations, the Minister said he believes the local content policy being championed by his Ministry will focus primarily on empowering Ghanaians.

This, he explained, will enable serious local mining firms to gain experience and compete favourably with their counterparts (foreign companies) operating in the country.

“What we are going to do is basically to ensure that Ghanaians are empowered enough to own mines.”

“In short, Ghanaians are going to be at the forefront of the mining industry, period.”

The Minister said the question is not about who is right or wrong, but how government can work with stakeholders to strengthen local content and participation of Ghanaians in the industry.

“How do we work with you to strengthen the local content regime? That should be the question,” he remarked.

Before implementation of the policy, currently at the teething stage, the Minister said all outstanding issues drawing back the country’s mining industry will be addressed.

For example, he said complaints being made by the Ghana Mine Workers Union about local firms not treating Ghanaian mine workers with respect and dignity will not be countenanced by government.

“Multinationals treat workers far better than local mining firms,” according to the Mine Workers Union.

A genuine complaint, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said he has heard from the Workers Union with rapt attention.

“I have noted deeply these things you have told me and will act decisively and appropriately.”

The Minister assured the Mine Workers Union of government’s sincerest commitment to maintaining existing global standards in running the industry.

These standards will include global remuneration measures, welfare, insurance, and the general wellbeing of mine workers and the mining industry.

Instead of cajoling local firms believed to be jeopardising the future of the industry, he said government will crack the whip.

“We will not countenance abuse of stakeholders in the mining industry, especially mine workers. Whether they are being abused by foreign investors, local mining firms, institutions working in the industry, or communities, we will kick against it.”

“Government is aware that local mining firms who have been calling for empowerment have already developed the penchant for abusing workers’ rights.”

Consequently, the Minister said the new local content policy being developed by government will take into account all concerns raised by mine workers, and those involved will be flushed out.

The wrong characters fronting for contract mining, he said, will not be allowed to destroy the industry.

“I want us to start the journey together. These are things that I think we can fix,” the Minister assured.

The Secretary General of the Ghana Mine Workers Union, Abdul Moomin Gbana, who led the delegation, used the opportunity to brief the Minister on a number of issues impacting the lives and working conditions of mine workers.

He explained to the Minister why the union is vehemently opposing the local content regime that government intends to introduce into the mining industry.

However, in response, the Minister mentioned local economic challenges requiring local solutions, global shocks requiring fiscal buffers, and the lack of foreign aid previously offered by advanced countries, among other motivations, as the reasons why the Government of Ghana is required to generate revenue locally through the management and utilisation of natural resources endowed to the country, without necessarily relying on other nations for assistance or resorting to unsustainable loans to fund the national budget.