The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on China to support the Ghana Geological Survey Authority to enhance geological survey and geological mapping.

He made the call when he held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, in Tianjin, China, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, as part of his official visit to China.

Armah-Kofi Buah said Ghana welcomed China's proposal for structured collaboration in the mining sector, describing the three-point shared mechanism as acceptable to Ghana.

"Almost all the proposals I had are what you've laid down. The three points of shared mechanisms for our collaboration is completely acceptable especially to establish a dialogue on shared interest in mining and industrialization and to work on geological survey, geological mapping," he said.

He added: "Ghana will provide technical support, but supporters with technical expertise working with us to fill those gaps are very, very welcome."

Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that Ghana was particularly pleased with the proposal on investment collaboration, especially in working with Chinese companies operating in Ghana's mining sector.

He said it was important for both countries to agree on standards that Chinese companies operating in Ghana were expected to meet to ensure responsible mining.

"We are very, very pleased with the proposal of investment collaboration especially working with the Chinese companies and making sure that we agree on standards that they are expected to meet. And so that when there are challenges we are able to address them at the higher levels," he noted.

The Lands Minister also stressed the importance of establishing a permanent dialogue mechanism to address bilateral challenges in the mining sector.

"What is happening is when there's a good relationship there's always going to be a challenge. Where there are mechanisms for us to address all those challenges and I think that this dialogue you've created is very welcome," he stated.

On the way forward, Lands proposed immediate action to operationalize the proposals discussed at the meeting.

"I will propose that we immediately have a technical team, even as we leave this mining conference, begin the process of working to establish the proposals that you have put in place," he stressed.

He disclosed that a team led by an official from the Ministry and an officer from the Ghana Embassy in Beijing would serve as focal persons to work with the Chinese side.

"I already have a team led by mister and the officer from the embassy who will be the point people to work with you on that," he said.

Armah-Kofi Buah further extended an invitation to the Chinese Vice Minister to visit Ghana to see firsthand the operations of Chinese companies and to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

In response, the Chinese Vice Minister of Natural Resources, Sun Shuxian, welcomed Ghana's position and outlined China's concrete support for geological mapping.

He said China was willing to strengthen cooperation in geological surveys, including satellite remote sensing, aero-geophysical survey and deep mineral exploration.

"We will task the China Geological Survey, including our Wuhan Center, to follow up. We can establish joint laboratories for prospecting, especially for gold and lithium, and work together on geological mapping to help Ghana fill its data gaps," the Vice Minister stated.

He added that on an annual basis, China could send technicians for joint training and field studies, while encouraging competent and responsible Chinese companies to invest in Ghana in strict observance of Ghanaian laws.

Armah-Kofi Buah was accompanied to the meeting by Ghana's Ambassador to China, Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Isaac Andrews Tandoh, and Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, Dr Prosper Akaba.