The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has called on journalists to play a central role in promoting transparency and accountability in Ghana’s extractive sector.
The call was delivered on his behalf by Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo during the launch of the Africa Extractives Media Fellowship at the Australian High Commission in Accra on Tuesday October 28.
Mr Debrah noted that the fellowship was being launched at a defining moment in Africa’s governance journey, where responsible journalism is crucial to ensure that natural resources benefit citizens rather than fuel corruption and conflict.
“The extractive sector holds immense promise for Africa, but it also lies at the heart of environmental degradation, illicit financial flows, and revenue loss,” he said. “Responsible, evidence-based journalism is necessary for national survival and development justice.”
The Chief of Staff underscored that the extractive industry accounts for about 70 percent of Africa’s export earnings and contributes significantly to national budgets across the continent. In Ghana, the sector accounted for 11.3 percent of GDP and 15 percent of government revenue in 2020, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
However, he warned that Africa loses an estimated $40 billion annually through illicit financial flows in the sector—funds that could have been used to improve education, healthcare, and youth employment.
Highlighting government’s renewed focus under the Reset Agenda, he said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama has made extractive sector accountability a cornerstone of national renewal.
Mr Debrah outlined several initiatives, including the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD) to regulate and monitor gold trading, and the creation of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to clamp down on illegal mining activities. Other efforts, he said included the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP) to promote sustainable small-scale mining and provide alternative livelihood training for youth and women.
He also cited the deployment of 453 Blue Water Guards to protect water bodies in the Western Region, the introduction of technology-based monitoring systems to track excavators, and the planting of 7.6 million trees under the “Tree for Life” initiative as part of the government’s commitment to restore degraded lands and combat climate change.
He further revealed that over 1,400 individuals involved in illegal mining have been arrested, with a special court being established to expedite their prosecution.
Addressing the newly selected Africa Extractives Media Fellows, the Chief of Staff described journalists as “guardians of resource governance.”
“You stand at the intersection between policy and public truth. Every story you publish and every dataset you interrogate contributes to national accountability,” she said. “We welcome scrutiny, not as confrontation, but as a partnership. The Reset Agenda is built on transparency, and the media must help keep the spotlight on public interest and environmental justice.”
The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship brings together journalists and experts to enhance media capacity in reporting on extractive industries across the continent, fostering integrity and informed public discourse on the management of natural resources.
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