Guyana and Ghana pursue natural resource sector reforms

Government officials in Guyana and Ghana are implementing strategies to improve the management and social impact of their respective natural resource sectors.

In Guyana, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat has reaffirmed a commitment to direct engagement with miners and loggers. Through the Ministry’s Open Day initiative in Region Six, stakeholders were provided a platform to discuss challenges and suggest practical solutions. Bharrat noted that increasing interest from Guyanese citizens in the mining sector is beneficial to the local economy and emphasized that proactive engagement is essential for efficient sector management.

In Ghana, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah stated that mineral resources must provide tangible benefits to host communities. During discussions with a delegation from the North East Region, the Minister outlined reforms aimed at improving governance and efficiency. These reforms include proposed changes to the prospecting and licensing regime, specifically moving away from 30-year licenses to create better opportunities for prepared investors and ensure mineral wealth delivers greater value to the nation.