Mining must improve lives in host communities, not just national figures – Presidency

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has warned mining companies that improvements in national economic figures do not necessarily translate into better living conditions for communities hosting mining operations. Speaking at the National Mining Dialogue, Muslim emphasized that mining companies must show tangible progress in areas such as employment, local procurement, skills development, and knowledge transfer.

She stressed that if mineral wealth leaves a community without corresponding improvements in clean water, infrastructure, and job opportunities, it raises questions about the "bargain" between the industry and residents. Muslim argued that the success of mining should be judged by the experiences of people living near mines, not just national production statistics.

She highlighted the importance of addressing the gap between national economic performance and local living conditions, as this gap was one of the reasons behind the national dialogue on mining. Muslim called for mining companies to move beyond traditional corporate social responsibility initiatives and create genuine opportunities for local firms to supply goods and services, gain employment, and acquire skills.

She questioned situations where capable Ghanaian companies were excluded from mining-related procurement, despite the industry's significant purchasing power. Muslim also emphasized the need for greater transparency in mining operations, urging companies to demonstrate progress in employment, training, and knowledge transfer. She stressed that effective local content policies are crucial for community prosperity and that mining operators must work towards earning and maintaining the confidence of the communities they operate in.