Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the minister of information, has emphasized that for the national debate on natural resource management, which came to a close in Accra last Friday, there must be an attitude shift and an increase in environmental responsiveness among Ghanaians.
He asserted that it was now necessary to take action rather than just talk in order to save the nation's natural resources and the environment.
The minister stated that stakeholder discussions like this one are important for the efficient management of our lands and natural resources.
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, convened the two-day debate, which included experts, policymakers, and state and non-state players in the field of natural resources.
It looked at problems in forestry, mining, and other areas and proposed practical answers.
"What remains now is doing, and we must do more than what has already been done so that we can hold the line against further degradation and even recover where we have lost cover," stated Mr. Oppong Nkrumah during the concluding session.
The small changes that we are all willing to make will help bring about the transformation that we all want, he added.
In order to keep the momentum going and root out unlawful activity in the natural resource sector, the minister pleaded with players to go beyond the dialogue.
He insisted that "the law must bite to deter people."
While the government was building a strong basis for the value addition of minerals, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said it was equally necessary for stakeholders to work together to stop the causes of land and forest degradation.
"Since these mineral riches are situated beneath our lands and inside our forests, we cannot discuss successful exploitation of mineral resources without also discussing the need to conserve our forests, lands, and water bodies.
So that everyone will see environmental protection and preservation as their responsibility, he said, "government officials, regulatory bodies, traditional rulers, the clergy, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media must play their roles well and take the message on attitudinal change to everyone."
Natural resources, according to Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah, should be protected since they are crucial to the development of the nation and a foundational element of its social, economic, and environmental progress.
"Natural resources contribute to income generation, job creation, and tax receipts on mineral production, which help the government provide critical infrastructure services in the areas of education, health care, electricity, and other essential needs," the speaker continued.
He said that the government was worried about the preservation and conservation of such natural riches, which is why the necessary infrastructure was being constructed for their efficient utilization.
He claimed that the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation had been established for this reason: to guarantee the preservation of the whole mineral value chain, from production to various downstream operations.
The minister continued by saying that the finding of lithium and other important minerals in various regions of the nation required careful consideration.
"This continues to be a top government priority, and the necessary modalities must be implemented to ensure the efficient exploitation of those resources," he added.
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