The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) is pushing for the introduction and adoption of a new law to mandate the use of ISO-14001, an environmental management framework, across all mining operations.

This proposal is expected to form part of measures to militate against the rising illegal mining activities by enforcing sustainable mining practices to reduce environmental pollution and degradation.

Illegal mining continues to destroy lands, water bodies, and threatens Ghana’s biodiversity – 65% of the country’s water bodies have been polluted by the activities of illegal miners.

Vast arable farmlands have been degraded with almost no hope of restoration. Mining is done haphazardly, especially by small-scale operators, leading to the wanton destruction of natural resources.
Ghana presently lacks a mandatory standard for the mining industry.

Known as the ISO 14001, the standards define how environmental management systems are supposed to work, and they serve 3 goals.

The Ghana Standards Authority is working for the adoption of international standards to minimize the impact mining operations have on the environment.

Ashanti Regional Director of the GSA, Dr. Samuel Frimpong said “The ISO-14001 is a voluntary document and we can’t impose on the ministry, or the people. We are hoping that parliament and the ministry work to ensure a legislative instrument is attached for enforcement of the laws for environmental protection.”

Dr. Frimpong was speaking in commemoration of World Standards Day to create awareness of the importance of having standards for commodities.

This year’s theme is “a shared vision for better world standards for the changing climate”.

Dr. Frimpong spoke on the collective fight for a sustainable future. “We are focusing on the sustainable development goals (SDG 9) with emphasis on the Innovation and Artificial intelligence. All these things there must be a standard for them. We all must come together for a sustainable future,” he said.