Gov’t to improve health, safety in mining sector

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has assured that the government will thoroughly study the report of the 5-member Prof Amankwah committee, which reviewed the health and safety regime of the mining industry, and pursue to the latter its findings and recommendations.

Mr Jinapor, who received the report yesterday, reiterated government’s serious resolve to improve the health and safety regime of the sector using the findings and recommendations from the report.

“We are going to pursue them to the letter. We will study the report and make our own conclusions and views about the content of the report. I have no doubt that, if not all, most of the findings and recommendations, which have been made by this committee, will be taken on board and implemented,” he stated.

Findings

The Minister added that, considering the expertise of the committee’s chair and members, he is confident that the findings would be an invaluable asset that will guide matters to do with the health and safety regime of the mining sector in the country.

He said the recommendations would be implemented to ensure that the Apeate explosion incident does not reoccur.

“What we want to ensure is a mining sector which is fit for purpose, which is serving the people, contributing to the national economy, and which is safe, so that we do not have a recurrence of what occurred at Apeate. So, that’s exactly what we want to forestall,” he stressed.

He reiterated the commitment of the Akufo-Addo government to transparency in the management of the lands and natural resources of the country, adding that his ministry would continue to serve the nation in the context of the best standards of integrity and fidelity.

Mr Jinapor, on behalf of Government, expressed profound gratitude to the committee for an extensive work done.

“We couldn’t have assembled a better team than we did, given the expertise the five of you bring to the table – expertise of diverse areas with enormous experience from your various fields. We are very grateful for such an extensive work done,” he said.

Collaboration

Presenting the report, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Richard Amankwah, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of George Grant University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), disclosed that they sent out 20 letters to various entities and professional bodies to source out information to aid their investigative work.

He added that to get the job done, they also engaged certain captains in the industry who gave presentations to the committee on explosives, fire suppression and systems to track the movement of explosives in the country.

He believes that the findings and recommendations are broadly appropriate. He, however, said considering the dynamic nature of the mining industry, it would be suitable if these findings were critically looked at to ensure that they fit into the changing trends in the industry.

“I am of the belief that the recommendations that have been made in various respects will make the regulatory framework more amenable in managing the health and safety dimensions of the mining sector,” Prof. Amankwah said.

On February 7, 2022, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources set up the committee following the Apeate explosion incident, which claimed thirteen lives and razed down the entire community.

The other members of the committee are Prof. Grace Ofori-Sarpong, a professor representing the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences; Ms Effie Oppong-Fosu, an associate representing the Ghana Bar Association; Mr Benjamin Aryee, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission; and Mr Kwesi Enyan, a former Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti.