The move, according to the ministry is to ensure that revenue received by government from the country’s mining industry is accurate.

This follows a recent disclosure of undervalued revenue received from gold export to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Speaking to journalists, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu maintained the move will block all revenue leakages in the export of gold and other commodities.

“As governments, we have been short changed for a long time in the history of a country that is involved in mining, what the ministry in collaboration with government seeks to do now is to introduce what we call an operational audit of mining firms and this is going to be across all mining companies that are going to work in this country.”

He added that it is important for the mining companies to be cooperative in the rolling out of the audit in order to achieve the best results, “We will introduce an operational audit that will determine that the royalties, the tax regimes and all the other benefits in terms of what comes to government are actual. We feel strongly that government’s take in terms of our royalties and our benefits are being paid and not properly reported and so most of these companies, of course as you know, are listed and so if they are listed, we expect them to be very open to us when we commence this operational audit.”

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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

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He said the government is ready to allow them to go back to work as soon as it sanitizes the sector and rid it of illegal mining.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dRLrqWr3wbBBYhMhUukPOn6Uz50cA9Se”]Mr. Amewu was reacting to concerns by the small-scale miners that the current ban on their operations was greatly affecting their livelihoods and will have a negative effect on the sector.

There is currently a ban on small-scale mining in the country following the widespread devastation of the water resources and forest reserves due to the activities of illegal miners.

A six-month ban, which was imposed by the Ministry earlier in 2017, elapsed in October 2017, but was extended to January 2018.

President Akufo Addo indicated at a media encounter on Wednesday that a decision on the way forward would be taken after a meeting with a team of experts next week.

He however added that, a lot more needs to be done in the crusade against illegal mining. But the miners believe the President’s stance is an indication that the ban might be extended for the second time.

The General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, Godwin Armah, in a Citi News interview said the ban must be lifted to avert the likely challenges the sector will face.

But according to Mr. Peter Amewu, although the government appreciates their concern and efforts to help it address the problem of illegal mining, it cannot rush the process.

“We appreciate their concern but they should exercise some patience and the right thing will be done. Government is not against small-scale mining, Opportunity exists for them, but we are concerned about the methodologies and their approach,” Mr. Amewu said in a Citi News interview.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Amewu urges calm among small-scale miners over ban appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The exercise dubbed, Kyebi Reclamation Project, according to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, is in two phases, and will be replicated at illegal mining sites across the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5UNuo5mbHZskRS5oslUi6d8Z45gwzBrn”]The Kyebi Reclamation Project is a collaboration between the Lands Ministry, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Local Government, as well as other Ministries, constituting the Ministerial Task-force against illegal mining, the Okyehene Foundation, the Rebecca Akufo-Addo Foundation and Richie Foundation.

The government early this year, began a pilot reclamation exercise at some mining sites in Kyebi and the Prestea area in the Eastern and Western Regions respectively.

Data from the Lands Ministry indicates that, an estimated 1.5 percent of the country’s land surface has allegedly been degraded by illegal mining and other bad environmental activities.

This represents between 50,000 and 60,000sq km out of the about 238,000 square kilometers land space of the country.

Speaking at the official launch of the Nationwide Project at Kyebi on Friday, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, said in Kyebi alone, eighteen sites have been earmarked for the exercise.

He added that, for the implementation of the nationwide project,  his ministry will establish  Reclamation Fund.

“The first estimate that was done from the environment was quite scary; just imagine a minimal 4% of the earth surface is being degraded and it is causing an average of GHc 60,000 per hectare to restore. If you multiply that by the area, it will be taking billions of dollars. The estimate done from the environment was quite realistic, but we cannot as a country accept that, because that is far higher than our GDP as a country, but we cannot say we will sit down and do nothing, so the president has directed that the reclamation will take place.”

He added that “When we finally sanitize the system and allow the small scale miners to start working, we will ask them to put in place some form of reclamation bond, which was discussed earlier, now that work will be negotiated with small-scale miners. We are seeking support from anyone who cares about the environment. A reclamation fund will be launched, we have had some support from the Australian high commission, the Chinese embassy is on board, the Canadian High Commission and a letter came from the DIFID. A lot of institutions are prepared to help address this environmental issue; we are looking for funding from the World Bank too” he noted.

Mr. Amewu said “Currently, there is a framework of joint action between Ghana and Ivory Coast, and the princes of Wale; they are trying to support this course, for a sustainable unit of the environment. We cannot get all the money but we will look all over, to get some money to start something, the government is already constrained in terms of the money involved he reiterated.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyehene and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, who lauded the initiative commended the Akufo-Addo led government for such a move.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t begins moves to reclaim galamsey lands in Kyebi appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“The programme, Mr. Speaker, will be implemented for five years at a total cost of $200 million aimed at sanitizing the small-scale mining landscape” the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu revealed during a question and answer session in Parliament.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gV3u3vrSlEkXNkcFyY32YhO9a8YlIdXZ”]In the document, the amount is supposed to be financed by statutory funds such as the Mineral Development Fund and Annual Budgetary allocation from Government.

Other sources of funding include partnerships with Diplomatic Missions, Civil Societies, Corporate bodies and other funding organizations through Public Private Partnership arrangements among others.

50% of the amount is expected to come from funding partners, 20% from Government of Ghana, 20% from PPP and rest of the 10% from corporate bodies.

The MMIP is being held as “a sustainable and structured,but regimented concept which will encompass multi-stakeholders in dealing with the galamsey menace.”

“It is expected that with its implementation, we will be able to come back to the august House in due course to give detailed reports on the sub-sector as well as other achievements in that respect,” the Minister said.

Gains made so far

Mr. Amewu, in Parliament, gave a break down of the gains made so far in the fight against illegal mining, which he said could be considered limited in the grand scheme of things, given that he himself said he would grade the government’s efforts so far at 15 percent.

It is in view of this that the government intends to extend the ban on all forms of small-scale mining, which was to end in October.

Nonetheless, the government’s anti-illegal mining task-force, Operation Vanguard, has evacuated about ninety 90 percent of earth moving equipment, from various galamsey sites across the country, the Minister noted.

He also said “more than 3,000 floating platforms have been destroyed, and over 347 persons involved in illegal mining activities have been arrested and put before the court.”

Mr. Amewu said engagement with stakeholders in the small-scale mining sector is ongoing, “to take on board their views in the structure to be put in place.”

“Also, Mr. Speaker, a complete restructuring of the management of the Minerals Commission is taking place to ensure the sustainability of the mineral resources of our dear country,” he added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Comprehensive anti-galamsey plan to cost $200m appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The term ‘Land Guards’ is a local expression used to define heavily built and armed thugs who are usually hired by land owners to protect their landed properties, especially those in dispute.

[contextly_sidebar id=”EQsQLpIBAKR3BmGBtsVsrPaVMd8AJLer”]The phenomenon of Land Guards in Ghana, has led to the loss of many lives, whiles several others have been maimed.

Some land guards are also believed to have the support of powerful individuals within the security agencies, government, and judiciary services, for which reason most of them are barely punished for the heinous crimes they commit.

Touching on the issue during a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Osu Traditional Council, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Mr. Amewu said there is a blue print being put together by government to end the illegal practice.

“His majesty, our visit here is to reiterate government’s intention of collaborating with stakeholders, including chiefs, elders, and opinion leaders who largely own these lands. His majesty, the NPP government is strongly of the view that development cannot take place in vacuum without the involvement of our chief and elders.”

Mr. Amewu added that, “we are also here to announce the presence of our team, and the willingness of the government of President Akufo Addo, to collaborate with you and the people of Osu kingdom, to make sure that the good crafted policies that the NPP government wants to implement will be implemented without any resistance.”

The Lands and Natural Minister said “We believe his majesty, over the period, you have been highly involved in government agenda towards development, and it is your wish that the government of Ghana continue to grow from strength to strength. It is on that basis that we have come to renew our alliance and the pledge by His Excellency, President Akufo Addo, to work with you and work with the people of this land.”

“The government of NPP within a short time in office has come with numerous projects and initiatives. We are all aware that some of those projects and initiatives were well crafted in our manifesto. It is our manifesto promises that brought us to office, and the President is more committed to deliver on these promises.

Nana Akufo-Addo is a man of his words and we believe that promises and pledges we make to Ghanaians, would be delivered.”

War on Land Guards

On the matter of land guards, the Minister said “As a Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, we have a clear mandate of what we are expected to do. We know that, we cannot work in a vacuum without your involvement. Over the years, the land management problems in Accra, Osu and other places have become a chronic management problem for the lands commission and also the ministry at large.”

He noted that, “currently, the issue of land guards has become a problematic one; government has crafted ideas and strategies to address this problem. We believe strongly that with your involvement and engagement, we can bring the land guard issue to a close” Mr. Amewu noted.

The Ministry also presented three computers, a printer, other computer accessories and an unspecified amount of money to the traditional authorities.
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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Amewu declares war on land guards appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Amewu was acknowledged for his significant role in the fight against illegal mining since he was appointed to serve in the Akufo-Addo government.

Mr. Amewu, who received a plaque and a citation, said the incumbent government is determined to improve the country’s economy, and charged Ghanaians in the diaspora to remain calm, saying government will not fail on its numerous promises.

[contextly_sidebar id=”uyNDuvN3rFpYWHo4kC5M3EGpqpUMQzJN”]He emphasized that, the President is aware of the support given to him and the party, and will ensure that many more opportunities are created for all Ghanaians.

The war against illegal mining has seen Government take some drastic decisions including a temporary ban on all forms of small scale mining.

Mining equipment worth millions of cedis have been seized with some destroyed. Several illegal miners have also been arrested by operation vanguard, awaiting prosecution.

Others have voluntarily abandoned the many illegal mining sites, including those who were operating on water bodies and in forest reserves.

Since the intense campaign backed by the media commenced, some water bodies, which were hitherto heavily polluted and almost unusable, are now returning to their natural state.

Bawumia commends Amewu for bravery in galamsey fight

Among the many individuals and groups to have commended Mr. Amewu for his instrumental role in the galamsey fight, is the Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia.

At a ceremony in the Volta Region some months ago, the Vice President described Mr. Amewu as a gem who deserved commendation for his hard work.

Dr. Bawumia was speaking as a Special Guest at a ceremony held by the Gbi Traditional Area under the auspices of the Paramount Chief Togbega Gabusu, to honour John Peter Amewu on his ministerial appointment and the zeal he exhibits in discharging his work at the Ministry of Land and Natural resources.

Addressing the gathering, Togbega Gabusu commended John Peter Amewu for his hard work, and encouraged other natives of the land to emulate him.

About John Peter Amewu

John-Peter Amewu is 48 years old, and holds an MBA (Finance) from University of Ghana. He also has a Post Graduate Degree (Executive MBA in International Energy Industry Management), and Masters in Petroleum Law and Policy from University of Dundee (UK).

He has more than 15 years’ experience in Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and International Development Organizations.

He has participated and undergone several mining professional training and attained various certificates from some Australia’s prestigious Universities (University of Sydney and University of Western Australia).

He is a Cost Engineer by profession with broader knowledge in the Energy and Mining Industry. He is a Co-founder of Africa Center for Energy Policy – ACEP; and also worked as the Director of Policy and Research where he provided pro-active and comprehensive policy related advice to support a variety of Government and Private Sector Projects.

He is the Chairman of Board of Directors of major private institutions in Ghana and a professional international consultant in his area of expertise (Mining and Petroleum). His contributions in providing solutions to the problems in the Energy Sector in Ghana have earned him both local and international acclamation and recognition.

He was the Volta Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) before he became a Minister. He is married with three children.
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By: Kojo Agyeman & Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NPP Australia branch honours Peter Amewu for galamsey fight appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu who made the announcement said the move will effectively remedy the improper handling of all forms of waste.

The move is to among other things help break the seeming monopoly of Zoomlion Company.

This according to the Minister says will promote accountability, as well as to introduce competition and cost consciousness into sector, adding it bring about effective solid waste management; to ensure a clean environment.

Speaking at a Victory and Dinner Dance event organized by the Western Australian chapter of the NPP in Perth – Australia, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu said the initiative will address some concerns raised by citizens.

He stated that, government hoping to bring down the cost of operations for the waste management companies which he said will reduce the expenses Ghanaians make on disposing refuse.

“It is a fact that Zoomlion has become the monopoly of the industry in Ghana, for a long time. Do not forget that he was the first person to go where no one wanted to go. He has expanded beyond all reasonable reach by any imagination. What government is doing now is to regionalize waste management. Instead of Zoomlion alone serving in the whole country, in some regions you will waste management company also operating. Zoomlion has the capacity in terms of the equipment so they will be operating alongside these companies in the various regions and districts,” he added.

The Minister also said government is also trying to decentralize those support services Zoomlion provides in order to cut cost.

“Most districts have complained that they will effectively manage waste at a competitive price, So government is opening up those opportunities, and the issue of Monopoly will be a thing of the past. The government of Akufo Addo believe in healthy competition and value for money”.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t will decentralize waste management – Amewu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Exton Cubic threatened to use available legal means to overturn government’s revocation of its license, but Mr. Amewu maintains the mining company’s processes in acquiring the lease were questionable.

[contextly_sidebar id=”fcMt6JZq0s9l8ho2MzevIRk4KljYXgQR”]”The processes leading to the grant of the license were not quite clear and were not transparent, very opaque. So it called for a lot of questions. We believe that if the processes had taken time and the duration for the various permits were within the framework, this issue wouldn’t have come out.”

“There are processes and durations that one needs to pass through. If for some reason, one has to go beyond those processes, that will not be an acceptable permit at all. We want to do it within the regulated format,” the Minister said.

Mr. Amewu was speaking during a meeting with mining investors as part of the African Downunder Conference in Australia, where he also charged mining investors to comply with the rules and regulations of the industry.

Exton’s complaints

Exton Cubic Group, in a letter addressed to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resource, said the revocation of their exploration permit would deter private investors from creating jobs in Ghana.

The company said Mr. Amewu disrespected the sanctity of signed agreements and exhibited arbitrary and a gross abuse of executive power when he revoked the contract.

Mr. Amewu, last week, announced that Exton Cubic had not met all the legal requirements to permit the company to prospect for bauxite in the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, thus rendering their three mining leases invalid.

Earth moving equipment and vehicles belonging to Exton Cubic’s sub-contractor, Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), had earlier been impounded at Nyinahin, the town where the forest reserve is located.

This was on the orders of the Ashanti Regional Minister following suspicions the mining company was operating illegally.

At the time, Mr. Amewu, came out to say that his Ministry had granted Exton Cubic Group Limited an entry permit into the Nyinahin bauxite concession.

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By: Kojo Agyeman/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Exton Cubic has no cause to complain – Amewu appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu, had explained that the directive was issued because the company’s three mining leases were invalid.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jlTdK0r0o5ojKGHe6DRlgMRxmrzPAZyx”]Mr. Amewu explained that the company’s failure to provide key documents covering its acceptance of the lease, notice of pendency, environmental impact assessment and other statutory requirements rendered the leases invalid.

In a letter to Exton Cubic, Mr. Amewu said “the absence of publications of the Gazette of notice of the pendency of the company’s applications and service of the notice on the various entities specified in the law is contrary to both section 13(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 177 of L.I. 2176 [Minerals and Mining Regulations.]”

But the Public Relations Officer of Exton Cubic, Sammy Gyamfi, on Eyewitness News indicated that, his outfit was currently “studying the letters received from government” before “seeking redress by taking the necessary legal steps.”

“We will take the appropriate legal steps to seek redress… These are technical and legal issues which our lawyers will go through,” he stated.

Mr. Gyamfi further indicated that, government’s claims in the letters issued to Exton Cubic were false, saying “in the coming days, we will delve into the details of the two letters and we will demonstrate to you that the facts and complaints contained in those government letters are totally false. The claims are totally untenable.”

Mr. Gyamfi insisted that Exton Cubic had not breached the law as far as the exploration of bauxite was concerned.

“We ask our supporters to remain calm. There is no cause for alarm. We have not done anything untoward. We are pursuing our objective of ensuring that Nyinahen Bauxite is exploited for the benefit of Ghanaians.”

The mining company, which was granted a license  on December 29, 2016,  insists it followed due process in the acquisition of the mining license despite claims by the EPA and Mineral’s Commission  that it was in breach of the law.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ll sue gov’t over withdrawal of exploration permit – Exton Cubic appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Addressing the media on Monday, the Minister said the company’s failure to provide key documents covering its acceptance of the lease, notice of pendency, environmental impact assessment and other statutory requirements rendered the leases invalid.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RmfkQ1xh1W3kJYELcg8UESqt3RitYgEk”]The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had already indicated that Exton Cubic reneged on commitments to submit a liability estimate of environmental degradation, among others.

The seizure of mining equipment belonging to Ibrahim Mahama’s Engineers and Planners (E&P), which was undertaking some preparatory work in the forest for Exton Cubic, led to the mining company’s troubles with the regulatory bodies.

In a letter to Exton Cubic, Mr. Amewu said “the absence of publications of the Gazette of notice of the pendency of the company’s applications and service of the notice on the various entities specified in the law is contrary to both section 13(2) of Act 703 and Regulation 177 of L.I. 2176 [Minerals and Mining Regulations].”

The Minister noted that the failure of Exton Cubic to obtain an “environmental permit, operations permit as well as various statutory infractions leading to the purported grant of the three mining leases to the company render the purported leases invalid and of no effect.”

“Please be informed in the event that you have not already been so advised that the company has no valid mining rights in the designated areas. The company is further advised to deists from entering the land under reference to prevent any further breaches,” Mr. Amewu said.

The mining company’s license was granted on December 29, 2016.

The company insists it followed due process in the acquisition of the mining license despite both the EPA and Mineral’s commission maintaining that it was in breach of the law.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Amewu revokes Exton Cubic’s exploration permit appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.