The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Ginger, has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to discuss responsible mining partnerships to enhance mutual development.
In an official visit on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the two leaders discussed viable proposals that will enhance the economies of both countries through sustainable mining practices.
In his remarks, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, stressed the country’s commitment to overhauling the small-scale mining sector through crucial initiatives and policy interventions.
In that regard, the minister cited ongoing reforms such as the “Cooperative Mining Programme seeks to organize miners into formal cooperatives, build local capacity, and introduce mechanisms for gold traceability from source to export.”
He assured the ambassadors of the Ministry’s full support and expressed readiness to facilitate further engagement, specifically meetings with key stakeholders during the Swiss delegation’s planned return visit in September.
He further commended Switzerland for its active participation in the recent Mining in Motion conference, noting the alignment between Switzerland’s development-focused approach and Ghana’s sector reforms.
Beyond mining, the meeting also explored potential collaboration in environmental conservation.
The minister briefed the delegation on Ghana’s efforts to combat deforestation linked to cocoa production, highlighting partnerships with the Forestry Commission and World Cocoa Foundation.
He also mentioned the “Tree for Life” initiative, which focuses on land restoration, afforestation, and the reclamation of polluted water bodies.
On her part, the ambassador expressed her country’s readiness to share expertise and networks with Ghana, emphasising that any future partnership would require strong commitment and tangible results from the Ghanaian side.
The discussions concluded with both parties expressing optimism about deepening bilateral cooperation to transform Ghana’s small-scale mining sector and protect its natural environment.
