Atsu Charles calls for major overhaul of Ghana’s mineral resource management

NDC Communication Officer for Biakoye, Atsu Charles, has called for an urgent review of how Ghana extracts and distributes the wealth generated from its mineral resources, arguing that mining has failed to deliver adequate benefits to host communities over the years.

Speaking on the Bubune Morning Show hosted by Nana Yaw Asiamah, Mr Charles said Ghana’s approach to mineral extraction over the past century had left many mining communities grappling with environmental and socioeconomic challenges despite the vast wealth generated from their resources.

He cited pollution of water bodies, destruction of forests and farmlands, environmental degradation and health concerns among the challenges confronting communities where mining takes place.

According to him, Obuasi, one of Ghana’s most prominent gold-producing communities, provides a clear example of the gap between mineral wealth and local development.

“Look at Obuasi today. Many basic things are lacking,” he said, questioning whether the infrastructure and social amenities available in the community reflect its status as a globally recognised gold-producing area.

Mr Charles said the situation required a fundamental rethink of the social licence granted to mining companies, insisting that communities where minerals are extracted must become major beneficiaries of the resources.

He called on mining companies and the government to prioritise investments in clean drinking water, healthcare, quality education, universities, roads and scholarships for residents of mining communities.

Beyond infrastructure, he argued that local residents should be given opportunities to acquire technical skills and secure employment within the mining industry.

“Local citizens should be actively employed and trained in technical mining skills so they can work directly in the sector,” he said.

The NDC communicator also pointed to growing resistance to mining activities in some communities, including areas along the Hawhea-Sebwuri road, where residents have reportedly raised concerns about prospecting activities on their lands.

He attributed some of the opposition to communities’ previous experiences with mining, particularly where agricultural land and water resources have been damaged without sufficient investments to improve the livelihoods of affected residents.

Mr Charles, however, maintained that mining could serve as a major driver of regional development if environmental protection and meaningful investment in host communities were made central to mining agreements.

The discussion also touched on the role of traditional authorities in negotiating mining agreements on behalf of their communities.

Mr Charles urged chiefs to exercise caution and seek expert advice before entering into major agreements with mining investors, stressing the need for traditional authorities to understand the true economic value of mineral-bearing lands.

“If an investor brings $1 million to a traditional leader who doesn't realise the total value is $100 million, the investor can take $99 million out of the country while leaving the community with virtually nothing,” he cautioned.

He therefore called for greater technical capacity among traditional authorities and community stakeholders to enable them negotiate agreements that provide sustainable, long-term benefits rather than short-term gains.

Mr Charles further advocated for greater local processing of Ghana’s mineral resources to ensure that more value is retained within the domestic economy.

He cited initiatives such as GoldBod as part of efforts aimed at strengthening Ghana’s control over its mineral resources and retaining a greater share of the wealth generated from them.

He stressed that the objective of mining should extend beyond the extraction of gold, bauxite, iron ore and other minerals.

According to him, mineral resources must be leveraged to build stronger communities, create jobs, develop local expertise and improve the living standards of the people whose lands and resources sustain the mining industry.