The Minister for Lands and Natural
Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced a bold vision to
transform the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) into a
revenue-generating and self-sustaining commercial entity. During his first
official visit to the Authority since assuming office, Mr. Buah emphasized the
need for the GGSA to reduce its reliance on government funding and instead
leverage its strategic role in the country’s natural resources sector to become
a profitable institution.
Mr. Buah expressed his concern over
the GGSA's continued dependence on subventions despite its critical importance.
He said there is no justification for such an institution to struggle
financially, given the essential services it provides. He called on the staff
to align with President John Mahama’s reset agenda and fully support the
government’s institutional reform efforts to achieve economic transformation.
He urged management to adopt a
business-minded approach to service delivery and reposition the GGSA as a key
player in Ghana’s economic growth. The Minister expressed confidence that with
the right structures, the Authority could become a hub for scientific research,
resource mapping, and geotechnical services that would attract both local and
international clients.
Director-General of the GGSA, Mr.
Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, welcomed the Minister’s visit and outlined a range of
ongoing projects and strategic objectives aimed at boosting the Authority’s
commercial viability. These include limestone investigations in the North-East
Region, clay research in the Eastern and Central Regions, mineral mapping in
the Ashanti Region, and earthquake monitoring activities across the country.
Mr. Mwinbelle also highlighted the
GGSA’s commitment to public education on seismic risks and the development of a
ten-year strategic plan focused on sustainable geological resource management.
He noted that the Authority is actively working to fully operationalize its legal
mandate under Act 928 of 2016 and upgrade its national seismic network to
enhance data accuracy and reliability.
The Lands Minister’s visit is seen
as a significant step in the government's broader agenda to reform key state
institutions and promote efficient management of Ghana’s natural resources.
Stakeholders believe the move to commercialize GGSA’s operations will not only
enhance its financial independence but also contribute meaningfully to national
development.
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