Northern Ghana needs mining-led development strategy – Dr Bansah

Mining consultant Dr Kenneth Bansah has called for a long-term development plan for northern Ghana that uses mining revenues and investment to address poverty, create jobs, improve infrastructure and expand livelihood opportunities across the region.

Below is the full write-up by Dr Bansah on the issue: 

Yesterday, I discussed that northern Ghana will become a major mining hub in the future. Exploration and large-scale mining activities are already taking place across parts of the north.

Northern Ghana has five administrative regions, and poverty remains high across many communities in these regions. Some of the highest levels of multidimensional poverty in Ghana are found in the north.

Agriculture has traditionally been a major source of livelihood. Farming has been declining in some areas, and many people continue to migrate south in search of jobs and income to support themselves and their families.

Mining presents an opportunity to address some of the poverty and development challenges in northern Ghana. A concerted effort is needed to develop a long-term development plan for the north with mining as one of its major economic drivers.

Special incentives could be provided to attract responsible mining investment. For example, the processing time and cost of securing mining licences could be reduced for companies seeking to develop mines in the north.

The government could work with mining companies to integrate ecological restoration into mine development. Some of these efforts could target drought-affected areas and support agriculture.

The development plan could dedicate government mining revenues from the early years of new operations to creating alternative sources of livelihood and developing infrastructure in the north. The government could commit all of these revenues for the first 10 years or dedicate a major portion of them to the development plan.

The revenues could support roads, water infrastructure, skills development, businesses, and other investments needed to strengthen the northern economy. They could even support the construction of an international airport in the north to improve air transportation and economic activity.

With deliberate and sustained investment of mining revenues, poverty in northern Ghana can be significantly reduced. The movement of young people south for ‘kayayei’ and other low-income work in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi could also reduce if better livelihood opportunities are created closer to home.

Mining can be at the center of such development.

Kenneth Bansah, PhD, PE