The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has disclosed that export receipts in 2022 from gold alone were over US$6.6 billion.
He made this know in a press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of Information, Accra, on recent developments in the Lands and Natural Resources Sector, and the way forward.
As part of measures to promote job creation in the mining industry through the use of local expertise, goods and services, the provision of goods and services by Ghanaians will help us retain US$3 billion annually.
This is as a result of the increment by the Minerals Commission on items on the Local Procurement List of goods and services reserved for Ghanaians from twenty-nine to forty-one, and subsequently, this year the number has again been increased to fifty.
Value Addition
The Minister indicated that discussions are ongoing with Rand Refinery of South Africa, a London Bullion Marketing Association (LBMA) Referee, to secure LBMA certification to enable us easily export and trade our refined gold on the international market.
“The implementation of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)’s Four-Project Agenda is on course” he said.
Regulation of Small Scale Mining
He continued that to support the small scale subsector, last year, Government reduced withholding tax on unprocessed gold from 3% to 1.5%.
Also, Mr. Abu Jinapor added that, “this has resulted in a massive increment in gold exports from small scale mining, 3,429.91kg in 2021, to 22,158.25kg in 2022, that is about 600% increment.”
His outfit, he said continues to promote responsible small scale mining through Community Mining Schemes.
The National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, which President Akufo-Addo launched in 2021, he minister said is also being implemented to provide alternative sources of income for communities affected by the fight against illegal mining.
The minister further added that the Apprenticeship, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship module of the Programme will be rolled out this year.
It is expected to provide training for some five thousand (5,000) youth in agriculture, technical, vocational, industrial, and mining skills.
Development of Mining Communities
The minister has notified that the first phase of the reconstruction of Appiatse community is about 40% complete. Following the tragic Appiatse incident on 20th January, 2022, Government committed to reconstruct the community into a modern, green and sustainable community as a model for rural development.
“This phase includes the construction of one hundred and twenty-four (124) housing units made up of two to seven bedroom houses, a school block with sanitary facilities, and the construction of roads within the community” he explained.
Forest Protection and Enhancement
The timber and timber products export, the minister stated has increased significantly from 302,183.046m³ in 2021, to 343,440.081m³ in 2022, which represents 13.65% increment. This generated a total amount of €153,861,837.67.
“The Forestry Commission, with the support the Ghana Armed Forces, have cordoned off all Forest Reserves and Wildlife Protected Areas, to rid them of illegal mining and illegal logging.”
On the Green Ghana Project which was launched last year, a total of 26,563,607 seedlings were distributed, out of which 24,552,925 seedlings were verified to have been planted, according to him.
This year, the minister indicated that the President has decided that we lower the target to 10million trees to enable them devote much attention to nurturing the over 30million trees already planted to ensure that all they reach maturity.
Wildlife Protection and Ecotourism
Mr. Jinapor said the Ecotourism Handbook which was launched in Forestry Commission has contributed significantly to increasing the number visitors to our ecotourism sites and zoological gardens.
“This has contributed significantly to increasing the number visitors to our ecotourism sites and zoological gardens. Despite the Accra Zoo being closed for more than three months, visits to the various ecotourism sites increased by 59%, to 361,505.” The minister added.
Climate Change Initiatives
Government under this Initiative to help at halting climate change introduced the Ghana REDD+ strategy in 2019 and it has recorded emission reduction of 972,465 tCO2e for the first accounting period between June and December 2019 has been verified and validated.
Forest Investment Programme
He again disclosed that Parliament under this Programme has ratified the On-lending agreement for the disbursement $7million to support small to medium scale plantation development and stimulate private sector investment in commercial forest plantation.
The Forest Investment Programme (FIP) is a mix grant and loan from the World Bank, aimed at, among others, protecting and increasing our forests estate, and piloting the viability of contracting commercial loans for plantation development.
Implementation of the Land Act
The minister noted that preparations are underway for the development of various Legislative Instruments to ensure the efficient implementation of the Act, and they expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.
Digitalisation of Land Administration Services
The minister has noted that plans are far advanced to engage stakeholders to deliver a holistic digitalisation of land services.
This, he said the technical documents are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Finance, and they are hopeful that they will secure the necessary approvals to commence this all-important programme this year.
“In addition to the online portal which enables clients to access selected services online, the six regional offices of the six new Regions, namely, Ahafo, Bono East, North East, Oti, Savannah, and Western North, operate fully digital” Mr. Jinapor indicated.
