Review Ghana’s mining laws to enhance local benefits – Sophia Akuffo

Former Chief Justice and Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Justice Sophia Akuffo, is advocating for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s mining agreements to ensure the country derives greater economic benefits from its natural resources.

She argues that the existing agreements mirror colonial-era arrangements, allowing foreign companies to reap substantial profits while Ghana earns relatively minimal returns.

Speaking at a press conference on Maximizing the Benefits of Ghana’s Natural Resources, Justice Sophia Akuffo emphasized the urgent need for policy reforms to enhance local value creation and drive economic transformation.

“There is a need to set up a small committee of about five experienced Ghanaian experts in the natural resources sector to review and recommend necessary amendments to all natural resource laws in Ghana to optimize the benefits of natural resources to the country,” the former CJ urged.

She added that the “Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) should contain a provision that moves the management of some mineral resources to local governments such that District Assemblies are directly involved in the management of these resources.”