Fuseini Urges Sustainable Mining as Tribute to Deceased Officers

Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, has urged the government to ensure that its newly introduced responsible mining initiative delivers real, lasting results—both to honour the lives lost in a recent tragic helicopter crash and to secure the future of Ghana’s natural environment.

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 16, Fuseini reflected on the devastating accident that claimed the lives of six officers en route to Obuasi. According to him, the officers were not on a mission to arrest illegal miners, but rather to promote environmentally conscious mining under the framework of the government’s responsible mining initiative.

“These brave officers were on their way to promote what we call responsible mining,” Fuseini explained. “That means mining that extracts resources without causing irreversible harm to the environment.”

He described the deceased as national heroes who gave their lives in service to a cause greater than themselves. “This is the highest form of sacrifice any public servant can make,” he said solemnly. “They died serving the country and promoting a vision of mining that could benefit both the economy and the environment.”

Fuseini argued that the most meaningful way to honour their sacrifice is not through tributes or memorials alone, but by ensuring that the responsible mining programme truly takes root and succeeds in changing the narrative around Ghana’s mining practices.

“The best way to pay tribute to them is to make sure that this initiative doesn’t end up being just another political box-ticking exercise,” he warned. “We’ve seen too many projects launched with fanfare only to fizzle out due to lack of commitment or poor execution.”

He stressed that the government must show clear, long-term dedication to implementing environmentally sound mining practices. This includes supporting community and cooperative mining in a way that protects ecosystems, reduces environmental degradation, and offers real economic opportunities for local populations.

“If we can show that mining can be done responsibly—if communities begin to see that they can benefit from mining without polluting their rivers or destroying their land—then we are on the right track,” he said.

Fuseini emphasized that this approach would not only preserve the environment but also shift public perception. “People will start to realize that those who insist on destructive, illegal mining are not freedom fighters or entrepreneurs—they are harming the country,” he added.

According to the former minister, the failure to deliver on this promise would not only dishonour the memory of the fallen officers but also set the country back in its efforts to balance resource extraction with environmental preservation.

“I will be deeply disappointed if this initiative doesn’t live up to expectations,” he admitted. “But I remain hopeful that with the right political will, it can succeed.”

Fuseini concluded by urging stakeholders—from government officials to mining communities and environmental advocates—to come together and ensure that responsible mining becomes more than just a slogan. For him, the lives lost must serve as a constant reminder of what is at stake.

“These officers believed in something bigger than themselves,” he said. “They gave their lives promoting a vision that, if fulfilled, could transform our mining sector for generations. Let’s not let that sacrifice go to waste.”