The Ghana Chamber of Mines has initiated discussions toward developing a standardised framework for land access and acquisition within Ghana’s mining sector to address persistent disputes between mining companies and local communities.
Speaking at a Land Access Workshop organised by the Chamber on Tuesday, October 28 in Accra, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Chamber, Ahmed Natongmah, said the meeting sought to bring together regulators, mining companies, and community development stakeholders to explore ways of streamlining the land use process in mining operations.
“Mining takes a lot of land, and that land belongs to people. We realised that challenges and delays in negotiating properly often drag the land acquisition and compensation processes. So, we thought it necessary to develop a framework that makes land acquisition simpler and more transparent for all parties,” Natongmah said.
He explained that the absence of a uniform approach often results in disputes, inflated land prices, speculation, and mistrust between communities and mining companies.
A standardised framework, he said, would enable both investors and landowners to enter negotiations with clear expectations and fair valuation standards, reducing the potential for conflict.
“When you have a standardised framework that everybody understands, it helps make mining continue to be a catalyst for development,” he added.
Natongmah further noted that the Chamber was working closely with government and relevant land agencies to ensure that any proposed framework would be fair, practical, and compatible with national land use policies.
“We can’t set standards that government or other land users cannot afford. The goal is to create a guide not a rigid rule that reflects the realities of different communities and land use types,” he explained.
He also emphasised the importance of recognising zonal differences in land value, suggesting that compensation and acquisition rates should be determined by the agricultural or economic sensitivity of each area.
He expressed optimism that a collaborative approach would enhance transparency, fairness, and mutual benefit among mining investors, landowners, and communities—ultimately strengthening mining’s contribution to local development and social harmony.
