Former Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Rev. Joyce Aryee, has underscored the need for strong ethical leadership in Ghana’s mining sector to ensure that communities benefit fully from the country’s mineral resources.
Speaking at a session with fellows of the Africa Extractive Media Fellowship in Accra, Rev. Aryee emphasised that mining must be approached with responsibility and long-term thinking. “Life is about managing resources… first it’s about the planet, then it’s about people,” she said, noting that mineral extraction should serve both present and future generations.
She argued that while mining remains central to Ghana’s economy, it must be balanced with social and environmental considerations. “Mining is more than minerals. It’s central to Ghana’s economy as well as whole communities. But ethical leadership and inclusive development is essential,” she stated.
Rev. Aryee stressed the importance of community partnerships beyond traditional corporate social responsibility initiatives. “There is a certain partnership that mining companies ought to have with their communities, not just CSR,” she added, saying such collaboration was vital for maintaining land rights and protecting livelihoods affected by mining operations.
She highlighted the dual mandate of mining, explaining that although the sector contributes significantly to national revenue and job creation, it must also safeguard the environment. “Every mining activity will compete with other uses for land and disturb livelihoods. So we need to really draw the balance,” she noted.
Calling for bold discussions on Ghana’s natural resource governance, Rev. Aryee urged leaders, companies and stakeholders to work collectively toward responsible mining practices. “There is so much more we can do for this country to benefit from the resources we have. And we must talk about it boldly and solve problems,” she said.
By: Dennis Osei Gyamfi
