IFEJ and Lands Ministry partner to boost natural resource reporting

The Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, have agreed to work towards a formal partnership aimed at improving specialised media coverage of mining, forestry, and land reform in Ghana.

The agreement was reached during a courtesy call on the Minister in Accra by an IFEJ delegation led by its President, Roger Agambire Agana, alongside executive members Bernard Yaw Ashiadey and Rayborn Bullay.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Agana requested the ministry’s support in providing technical briefings and training workshops for journalists. He affirmed that IFEJ stands ready to help communicate the ministry’s key policies to the public and to prepare host communities for the government’s drive toward local value addition in the minerals sector.

Adding to the proposal, Mr. Ashiadey suggested the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities, the establishment of an annual conference on mining and natural resource governance, and the publication of joint research supported by technical input from the ministry. He also advocated for closer working ties with agency heads under the ministry and called for field visits enabling IFEJ members to inspect degraded lands currently undergoing reclamation to report on both recovery efforts and environmental impact.

Welcoming the delegation's initiatives, Mr. Buah agreed to host an inaugural half-day workshop where he and agency heads under the ministry will brief IFEJ members. He noted that general press coverage frequently misses the core substance of sector policy, underscoring the urgent need for specialised journalists who can break down complex issues for the public.

Highlighting ongoing sector reforms, the Minister revealed that Cabinet has approved a new mining policy to replace the 2014 framework. Furthermore, a new mining bill currently before Parliament will introduce mandatory community mining agreements. Under these legal agreements, mining companies will be required to commit in writing to host communities' development priorities—such as schools, roads, and skill training—throughout the lifespan of a mine.

“It’s not a charity. It’s not corporate social responsibility,” Mr. Buah emphasized.

Outlining additional legal and administrative changes, the Minister stated that the standard duration for mining leases will be reduced from 30 years to 20 years. Upon expiration, the state will determine whether to renew the lease or bring in Ghanaian business partners. Additionally, holders of reconnaissance licences who show no capital expenditure on exploration after five years will forfeit their rights. A new medium-scale mining tier will also be introduced to assist Ghanaian small-scale operators in growing their businesses.

Turning to forestry and environmental conservation, Mr. Buah disclosed that 44 forest reserves had been damaged in recent years, resulting in land degradation equivalent to roughly 13,000 football fields. He assured the public that the state has successfully reclaimed full operational control of the affected reserves. Through the ministry’s Tree for Life initiative—which engages schoolchildren and leverages private-sector support to bridge budget gaps—the land is actively being restored and replanted. He added that technology is also being deployed to streamline land administration and improve public access to land management services.

The partnership is set to kick off with the joint capacity-building workshop, after which IFEJ members will collaborate directly with individual agencies under the ministry.