The newly commissioned Ashanti Regional office of the Minerals Commission in Kumasi will serve as a designated centre for the Inspectorate Division Licence Examination, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Isaac Tandoh, has announced.
According to Mr Tandoh, the establishment of the examination centre in Kumasi will make the licensing process more accessible to qualified Ghanaians, particularly those in the Ashanti Region and surrounding areas. It is also expected to reduce the time and cost associated with travelling to access the service.
Mr Tandoh disclosed this during the commissioning of the new office complex by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission on Monday.
He explained that the facility is part of efforts to decentralise the Commission’s operations and bring key regulatory and technical services closer to stakeholders in Ghana’s mining sector.
Beyond the examination centre, the new complex houses a specialised two-storey laboratory equipped to undertake mineral testing, sample preparation, analysis, quality assurance, research collaboration and regulatory monitoring.
The CEO said the laboratory would strengthen the Commission’s technical capacity and enable faster and more reliable assessment of mineral samples. It is also expected to improve response times and enhance the credibility of technical services provided to the mining industry.
The facility also includes a museum and public education centre designed to showcase Ghana’s mineral wealth, mining history and geological features while promoting public understanding of responsible and legal mining practices.
The commissioning forms part of the broader effort to decentralise the Minerals Commission and improve access to mining-related regulatory services outside Accra.
The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Dr Yussif Sulemana, said the new office would help address delays associated with the granting of mining leases and strengthen regulation of the sector. He also urged communities and small-scale miners to cooperate with the Commission to promote responsible mining.
Mr Tandoh expressed confidence that the new facility would become an important regional hub for mining regulation, technical services, licensing and public education, ultimately contributing to more efficient and responsible management of Ghana’s mineral resources.
