The Minerals Commission has undertaken a reshuffle exercise including a transfer of its Western Regional Director and other officers after a quarry site explosion at Shama on Sunday, September 10. 

According to a document sighted by JoyNews, the Regional Director has been transferred to Koforidua in the Eastern Region. 

Per the said document, the Minerals Commission head at the Ashanti Regional Office, Samuel Gyabaah has taken over in the Western Region.

“The Minerals Commission has appointed a new Regional Head for the Western Region. Mr Samuel Gyabaah, a mining engineer who had worked with AngloGold Ashanti for 18 years and the Head at the Ashanti Regional Office has been transferred from Kumasi to Takoradi.”

“Mr. Desmond Boahen also a mining engineer has been transferred from the Takoradi office to Koforidua as the Regional Head.”

The statement added that “Paul Dawson, a mining engineer and who worked with Newmont Ghana Gold Limited for twenty years as the Environmental Manager, is now the Regional head for the Ashanti Regional Office.”

It is believed that these transfers may be linked to the recent explosion at a quarry site in the Shama District of the Western Region. 

A source at the Commission has intimated that the various district heads may also be transferred. 

Additionally, the Chief Inspector of Mines has directed all the regional heads to undertake an audit of all quarry operations within the respective regions.