The Ghana Chamber of Mines has put forward a new idea. Its Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Ashigbey, wants to use National Service personnel. They could help with mineral exploration and mapping. This plan aims to make Ghana's mining industry stronger. It also seeks to get more value from the country's natural resources.
Mr. Ashigbey explained his idea at a JoyBusiness Roundtable event. The discussion focused on how Ghana handles its gold, oil, and critical minerals. He believes the government should use the yearly group of National Service personnel. They could help gather important data. They could also find new mineral deposits across the nation. Investing in exploration is key. It helps Ghana increase local involvement. It also improves long-term profits from mining.
This proposal fits into larger talks about Ghana's economy. The country wants to improve its mining sector. It wants to keep more value within Ghana. It also wants policies that help growth. This means looking beyond just extracting raw materials. Ghana is rich in minerals. This includes gold, bauxite, and manganese. Exploration helps find more of these valuable resources. Better data helps plan for the future. It can also attract more investment. This is important for economic development.
Kenneth Ashigbey stated, “My suggestion for government is that the National Service people we bring out, let’s put them in the field to do exploration and mapping for us to support the sector and that will help.” He added that this approach will build local technical skills. This will help Ghana benefit more from its mineral wealth. It will also attract steady investment. The Chamber of Mines often advocates for policies. These policies aim to benefit Ghana's mining industry. They want sustainable growth and increased local ownership.
This idea could lead to more detailed geological maps. It could also identify untapped mineral reserves. This information is vital for future mining projects. It can guide investment decisions. It might also create new jobs. These jobs could be in data collection and field surveys. The government will need to consider the logistics. This includes training and supervising the service personnel. The sector's long-term health depends on continuous exploration.