Ghana Standards Authority pushes for law to curb illegal mining

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is intensifying calls for introducing a new law that will mandate the use of ISO-14001, an environmental management framework, across all mining operations as part of the country’s fight against illegal mining.

This proposal aims to enforce sustainable mining practices and limit environmental degradation, which is on the rise due to widespread activities of illegal miners in the country.

GSA’s Director-General, Prof. Alex Dodoo, speaking during the World Standards Day observance in Accra stressed the need for stricter governance in the mining sector.

He noted that although the ISO-14001 series is currently available to guide sustainable operations, compliance remains voluntary – creating what he described as a “gap” in environmental governance.

“We are pushing very hard to ensure that all companies working in the mining and related areas will be certified to the International Standards that guarantee environmental sustainability – the ISO-14001 series,” Prof. Dodoo said.

“We want this to be mandatory, because then companies will be required to implement systems that promote the environment.”

The GSA chief further explained that the ISO-14001 standard’s voluntary nature has limited its impact in curbing environmental harm caused by mining activities.

“Currently, these standards exist but are not mandatory on the industry, and that is a gap we hope to close.” He was therefore hopeful that the GSA could work closely with its supervisory ministry – Ministry of Trade and Industry – and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to make these standards compulsory.

Illegal mining has been a persistent issue in recent years, with devastating effects on rivers, forests and local communities beginning to manifest.

Government efforts to clamp down on the practice have faced challenges, including poor enforcement and governance loopholes – leading to Organised Labour recently threatening to ‘shutdown’ the country with its now suspended nationwide strike action .

It is given this that the proposed legislation is hoped will compel mining companies to obtain certification under the ISO-14001 series, which requires firms to implement, monitor and continually improve environmental management systems.

Furthermore, he said, the GSA has developed standards for packaging materials including plastics.

This year’s World Standards Day celebration focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impact) and amplifies the calls for SDG standards.

On the back of this, Prof. Dodoo said the GSA is committed to providing their expertise, also relying on their advanced laboratories, and called on players in all sectors of the country to partner with them to ensure Ghana becomes a country where sustainable development is a reality.

Each year on 14 October, members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrate World Standards Day. This is aimed at paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.

The 2024 celebration was observed in Ghana under the theme ‘Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Changing Climate’.

Board Chairman-GSA, Prof. Mills Robertson, also speaking at the ceremony noted that climate change is not a distant challenge but one that affects all aspects of life – from the air we breathe to the products we use daily, adding that the role of standards has never been more critical in addressing these global issues.

“At GSA, our laboratories conduct tests on various products that have both direct and indirect implications on the climate. Whether it’s testing emissions from industrial equipment or evaluating the sustainability of agricultural inputs, our work helps ensure that Ghana’s industries are aligned with global standards that prioritise the health of our environment.”

He said the observance serves as “a reminder of the shared responsibility we all hold, not just as individuals but as organisations, industries and nations, to set and adhere to standards that foster resilience and adaptability in the face of climate change”.

Additionally, Director of Standards-GSA, Regina Vowotor, added that given the growing challenges posed by climate change, GSA is committed to raising awareness on how standards can drive sustainable practices, improve resilience and support mitigation efforts.

“By highlighting SDG 13, we aim to showcase the crucial role that standards play in addressing climate-related issues, promoting environmental responsibility and guiding industries toward more sustainable and climate-conscious practices.”.

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