Reform laws on our Resources

The mineral and natural resources base of every country is for the purpose of serving the needs of the people and also to exchange it for wealth. Thus the need of the people is of primary importance relative to selling it to the outside. Ghana is one country blessed in both natural and mineral resources. But as to whether our people have received maximal benefits from the mineral and natural resource base is apparent for all to answer. Most of the present enacted laws on our mineral and natural resources appear to be more favourable to the foreigner than it is to the citizens. And most of the resources are available in markets of foreign countries than Ghana itself. Apparently you never see the Made in Ghana identification. Our laws will have to be revisited to serve the interests of Ghana than currently, and also with the community or citizenry as an important partner.

Quite a number of our resources presently have switched hands in the name of foreign investors. Unfortunately, past administrations have in failing to really estimate the resource base have given the fortunes away on silver platter to foreign investors who not only exploited our natural and mineral resources but also our human resources. Further they have left our lands in states less than are desirable. There is this adage that “what the birds have eaten, let them be gone with it, lets protect what is left.”(Neɛ ɛmoa no adieɛ no, ɔnni nnkɔ, nnieɛ aka no yɛnmmɔ ho ban). I think any other resource that is left or will be identified in the future will have to be judiciously protected or leased out, with posterity in mind.

Just as laws on ban of the export of logs were enforced some years back in the timber industry, new laws will have to be enacted by parliament to ban the export of raw minerals; gold, diamond etc in the mining industry. Thus minerals mined in Ghana will be exported only in the finished state. These laws on minerals mined in Ghana will require that mining companies establish their processing factories in Ghana. The finished products will have to bear the made in Ghana label. Also mineral inspectors similar to the Forest Products Inspection Bureau or Ghana Standard will have to certify such products. These laws should also see the government of Ghana providing the environment and protection for minerals marketing in the country.

This is one way toward creating employment for our people and making them enjoy the wealth of Ghana. Ghana is not made only to be a primary producer. If our perishable products like cocoa cannot be exported as finished products to the developed countries, then we have to make the most of minerals mined in the country. In these laws also the percentage of top management of mining firms that can be expatriates will have to be cited. We have witnessed in the past where expatriates have been employed in about 95% of top management positions in mining firms, and have virtually milked Ghana without mercy. Here also corrupt and greedy Ghanaians who will condone with expatriates in clandestine activities will have to be monitored by the media.

One other sector I love to call for immediate reform is the timber industry. I have been saddened with the hypocrisy of our professionals in the industry, who helped in the passage of laws banning chain-saw operations. It is startling how our local people who harvest our timber are labeled as destroyers of our forest, because they supposedly harvest young trees and do not maximize the felled timber. However, it is no reason for them to be sidelined. The extent of destruction of the forest by big timber firms cannot be overemphasized and they are also guilty of the crimes of the chain saw operators. Using big trucks in the forest, young trees and the soil are destroyed as logs are gathered to the log-yard. On the whole chain-saw operation is one major source of wood supply for our carpenters, both for furniture and house construction. We have to encourage, train and develop our local wood workers. The chain saw operators can be formed into a corporate body and given land concessions. In this way, they may trained, involved in tree planting exercises and taxed. Though income from the export of such timber is important; the needs of our populace cannot be overlooked.

There is also the urgent need for the diffusion of powers in the distribution of the revenues from mineral and natural resources in Ghana. We have witnessed our chiefs sell lands and there is no accountability to the people; they have also received some royalties from available resources but still no development in the communities. The government has been the caretaker of minerals in the nation, and Ghanaians are yet to realize any developments in the country from the proceeds, if not for loans or HIPC. The royalties system handed over by the colonialist is not suitable. There is the urgent need for a law entitling all citizens in any community in Ghana, to ownership of the minerals and natural resources in the community. If the descendants of industries have shares or stocks in the companies of their parents, then the natives at location of resources deserve a better deal. There is the need of a charter for every community to the resources on the land. Further independent trustees and auditors with spending restrictions should disburse and manage the proceeds from mineral and natural resources. Author: email: [email protected]