Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has emphasized the need for a new approach to natural resource contracts in Ghana to optimize the nation's benefits from its abundant resources.
In an address delivered in Accra on Wednesday, Dr Bawumia outlined his vision for the country, emphasizing the importance of value addition and Ghanaian ownership in the exploitation of natural resources such as gold, lithium, and bauxite.
“As president, I will usher Ghana into a golden age for the maximization of the benefits from our natural resources,” he stated, highlighting the significance of value addition and Ghanaian ownership in achieving this goal.
One of the key policies proposed by Dr. Bawumia's government is the formalization, regularization, and regulation of environmentally sustainable small-scale mining. He emphasized the potential of the small-scale mining sector to create wealth, stating, “We can create many millionaires in the small-scale mining industry if we support them.”
Dr Bawumia also pledged to support the formalization of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector, ensuring that activities are conducted sustainably and responsibly. Additionally, his government plans to license all miners engaged in responsible mining, with district mining committees playing a role in issuing temporary licenses.
Furthermore, Dr Bawumia emphasized the importance of ending the seizure or burning of excavators by ensuring that miners operate within the limits of their licenses, particularly avoiding mining in rivers or water bodies.
The event, held under the theme “Ghana's Next Chapter: Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for the Future,” provided Dr. Bawumia with a platform to outline his vision and direction for the nation. Attendees included prominent figures such as the First Lady, former President John Agyekum Kufuor, and other government officials, party executives, and members of the diplomatic community.
The forum, held at the Kofi Ohene Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), drew enthusiastic support from party members and sympathizers, underscoring the significance of Dr. Bawumia's proposals for Ghana's future.