The Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, and Technology has brought its high-level oversight tour of the Ashanti and Ahafo Regions to a close, delivering a mixed assessment of the industrial mining landscape and a sharp warning regarding the rising tide of illegal mining.
The delegation concluded its fact-finding mission at Asanko Gold Mines, marking the final stop after detailed inspections of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine and Newmont Ghana’s operations in Ahafo South. Throughout the tour, the Committee closely scrutinized how these industry giants manage the delicate balance between high-output extraction and environmental preservation.
One of the primary focuses of the visit was the structural integrity and safety of Tailing Storage Facilities (TSFs). These massive embankments hold the byproduct of mining operations, and their failure can lead to catastrophic environmental damage. The Committee expressed a high level of satisfaction with the current safety protocols at these sites, noting that the companies have largely succeeded in protecting local water bodies and forest reserves from industrial contamination.
Despite this technical success, the Committee identified a significant administrative and strategic gap. Members expressed concern that despite the global shift toward environmental sustainability, several companies were unable to provide comprehensive policy documents specifically addressing climate change mitigation. The Committee emphasized that as mining operations expand, companies must have proactive, documented strategies to protect host communities from the long-term effects of climate volatility and ecological shifts.
The visit also served as a platform for the Committee to address the broader national crisis of “galamsey” or illegal mining. Describing the practice as an existential threat to the nation’s social and environmental fabric, the Committee issued a formal appeal to the central government. They argued that current enforcement efforts are hampered by financial constraints and called for a substantial increase in budgetary allocations to the regulatory and security agencies tasked with policing the sector.
By the end of the tour, the Committee’s message was clear: while large-scale mining companies are meeting immediate safety standards, the future of the sector depends on robust climate planning and a more aggressive, well-funded state response to illegal mining activities.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
