The Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) has reactivated an inter-agency committee to strengthen the monitoring and collection of mineral royalties and mining-related revenues in Ghana. This reconstituted committee held its inaugural meeting on May 8, 2026, bringing together nine key state institutions involved in the extractive sector.
This renewed effort aims to close gaps in coordination, monitoring, and enforcement of mining regulations, which emerged during recent institutional changes. The committee will help address issues such as undeclared mineral production, royalty leakages, and weak oversight, particularly within the small-scale mining sector. Securing these revenues is vital for Ghana’s economic development and infrastructure financing.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader economic narrative of enhancing domestic revenue mobilization and ensuring that natural resources contribute fully to national coffers. Ghana has historically faced challenges in maximizing revenue from its rich mineral deposits due to illicit mining and difficulties in tracking production. The MIIF’s focus on improved royalty collection aligns with the government’s efforts to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional taxation and improve public finance management. Effective monitoring can also support the recent shift from a fixed royalty regime to a sliding scale system, making revenue collection more responsive to market conditions.
Justina Nelson, CEO of MIIF, noted that reviving the committee became necessary after previous inactivity created coordination gaps. She stressed the critical importance of mineral royalties as a crucial source of revenue for national development and infrastructure financing. Dr. Martin Yamborigya, Acting Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, acknowledged persistent challenges in domestic revenue mobilization. He specifically highlighted areas outside large-scale mining, such as quarrying and salt production, which often receive limited monitoring.
The committee will develop a comprehensive database of mining operators and mineral rights holders. It will also establish improved systems for tracking production levels and royalty obligations. Decision-makers and markets will closely watch how effectively this committee can boost revenue. Increased transparency and stronger enforcement could lead to more stable and predictable income for the government. This could also enhance Ghana's appeal to responsible foreign mineral investors.
Discussions at the meeting also covered funding and sustainability for the committee’s operations, including field inspections. Members proposed cost-sharing mechanisms among institutions to support these activities. The committee will also strengthen inter-agency collaboration to combat illegal mining. This ensures all eligible mineral operations contribute appropriately to national revenue generation. Officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority expressed confidence that revived coordination would improve compliance and revenue assurance. The MIIF will facilitate coordination and provide secretariat support. The broader goal is to protect national interest and promote accountability in the extractive sector.