General News
Mahama: We’ll increase efforts to clean polluted water bodies and reclaim mined lands
President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to intensify efforts to restore Ghana’s polluted water bodies and reclaim lands degraded by mining activities, describing environmental protection as central to the country’s mining reforms.
Addressing stakeholders at the maiden Mining Local Content Summit in Takoradi, President Mahama stressed that economic benefits from mining must not come at the cost of environmental destruction.
“We’ll increase our efforts to clean our water bodies and reclaim the lands that have been mined out,” he declared. “Mining must leave our communities better than it found them.”
Environmental Cost of Mining
Illegal and poorly regulated mining activities have severely polluted major rivers and degraded vast tracts of land across several regions, sparking public concern and calls for stronger action.
President Mahama acknowledged the scale of the challenge but assured that his administration remains committed to reversing the damage.
“We cannot speak about sustainable development while our rivers are polluted and our lands are scarred by abandoned pits,” he said. “Environmental stewardship must go hand in hand with economic progress.”
Strengthening Enforcement and Community Oversight
The President revealed that government would strengthen regulatory enforcement and deepen collaboration with local authorities to safeguard affected communities.
“Traditional authorities and MMDAs will continue to play a decisive role in monitoring compliance and protecting community interests,” he stated.
He emphasized that local content policies must be aligned with responsible and community-centered mining practices.
“Local content cannot be separated from responsible mining,” he noted. “Our mineral wealth must translate into improved livelihoods, restored environments and long-term prosperity.”
Formalizing Small-Scale Mining
President Mahama also reiterated his commitment to reforming the artisanal and small-scale mining sector to ensure sustainability.
“We’ll continue the fight against illegal gold mining and work to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining sectors,” he said, adding that formalization would include improved regulation, access to training and environmentally sound mining methods.
A Legacy of Responsibility
The President challenged stakeholders to reflect on the long-term environmental legacy of Ghana’s mineral wealth.
“What will be the legacy of our mineral wealth 100 years from now?” he asked. “It must not be polluted rivers and degraded lands, but thriving communities and a responsible mining industry.”
He concluded with a call for collective action.
“This is a shared responsibility. Government cannot do it alone,” he said. “If we get this right, we will build a mining sector that is both prosperous and sustainable.”
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
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