Ghana, Wednesday, took a bold step towards reforming the Geological Survey Department (GSD) into a semi-autonomous body with the mandate to advise Government on geoscientific issues relating to mineral resources, environment and hydrogeology.
The GSD following the reforms, would also be tasked to promote standards of professional conduct and efficiency in geological matters, effective dissemination of information on geological hazards and ensure the effective exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the West African nation.
A Bill to that effect which is currently before the country’s legislature when passed into law will enable the GSD provides the above mentioned services.
Dubbed “Ghana Geological Survey Authority Bill, 2015”, when passed into an Act, would also enable the reformed institution to expand its sources of funding.
Key among it is through the sale of data it has gathered to address the funding challenges it has been going through over the years with regards to its operations. Other sources include a portion of the Minerals Development Fund as well as others to be approved by the Minister for Finance.
Currently the only source of funding for the GSD it’s through the budgetary allocations which have proved to be inadequate with its attendant release challenges.
Clause 15 of the Bill further seeks to empower the Authority to undertake consultancy services for foreign clients at a fee. The decision to undertake such an exercise will however be subject to the prior approval of the Sector Minister.
It would also have the power to the check houses and other structures along the Accra-Cape Coast road that are close to earthquake fault lines as the Bill also seeks to reduce the impact of disaster related to earthquakes, volcanic and other seismic activities throughout the country.
Contribution to the motion moved by the deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for the second reading of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority Bill, 2015, Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu bemoaned the non-existence of a legislation to guide land planning and use in the country.
He called on the country to swiftly put its house in order and deal with the rampant estate and ancillary structures along the epicenter and fault lines of Ghana.
“It appears nobody cared about the impunity of such developments and only God knows what would happen in the event of any major seismic activity”, he decried.
He also bemoaned the lack of geo-scientist in Ghana, noting that the unavailability of such personnel was affecting the smooth operations of the GSD. He noted that there were only two geo-physicists at the Department, stressing that better renumeration should be provided to the staff to stem their exodus to other parts of the world in search for greener pastures.
MP for Antwima Mponua, Isaac Asiamah also called for adequate funding to the organization since it has over the years played a critical role in making the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and some other national institutions “who they are today”.
The Geological Survey Department (GSD) was established in 1913 by the British Colonial administration of the then Gold Coast geological Survey.
The functions of the department at the time included advising the colonial administration on geo-scientific issues related to oil and gas, geological mapping, hydro- geology, engineering geology, and earthquake monitoring among others.
