The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor has charged a five-member Ministerial Committee of Inquiry, to take a holistic approach to dealing with the health and safety issues in the mining sector in the country.
According to him, the country cannot continue to treat disasters such as Appiatse as isolated incidents.
Speaking at the inauguration of a five-member technical committee to review the health and safety standards within the mining, he said "We cannot continue to treat these as isolated incidents. We must take a holistic approach to dealing with the health and safety issues in the mining sector.”
He also added that the setting up of the five-member Ministerial Committee of Inquiry was of great importance following the unfortunate explosion which occurred at Appiatse killing 13 persons.
"Unfortunate though the incident was, it should serve as a wake up call for us to take proactive measures to prevent such disasters. SImilar actions taken by the United States following the BP oil spill in 2010 and South Africa, after the Vaal Reefs disaster in 1995"
The Sector Minister told Journalists that his outfit will be updating the country on new developments following the report of the investigation.
Hon. Jinapor reminded the committee of the sad and unforgettable cave-ins of mining pits which occured at Ayanfuri and Breman, both in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, and the recent one in AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuasi Mine last year. "Your terms of reference are to undertake a general review of the health and safety regime in the mining industry; to review the existing laws, regulations, and guidelines on health and safety standards in the mining industry; to inquire into any matter relating to health and safety in the mining industry; and to make recommendations to Government for legislative, policy, and other reforms it may deem fit"
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister tasked the committee to within a month present a report on their findings.
"President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is committed to making Ghana the mining hub of Africa, and this requires a safe and healthy environment for mining.
On his part, Minerals Engineer and Vice Chancellor of the Paa Grant University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa (UmaT), Prof. Richard Amankwah said "On behalf of the Committee and myself, I will like to thank the Minister for ginning us this opportunity to serve the mation in this capacity. We realise that this is a big opportunity and we take hold of it and promise to do a good job"
He hinted that Appiatse for some time now has been associated with a disaster adding that he is happy, a committee has been put up to change the dynamics of the health and safety standards in the field.
"I believe that soon Appiatse will not be only about disaster but also about reforms"
He mentioned that as a committee, they will do broad consultation both in Ghana and outside the country then make a conscious effort to develop a document that will stand the test of time.
He confident it will help the nation work well regarding health and safety standards of the mining industry likewise also the communities.
The committee consists of Prof. Richard Amankwah, Minerals Engineer and Vice-Chancellor of the Paa Grant University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa (UmaT) and Prof. Grace Ofori-Sarpong, a professor of minerals engineering, and Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at Paa Grant University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, representing the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
The others are Ms. Effie Oppong-Fosu, an Associate of Menka-Premo and Co. Law Firm, with specialization in mining and energy law, representing the Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Benjamin Aryee, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, and Mr. Kwesi Enyan, a former inspector of mines, and a former Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti.
Below are some pictures:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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