By Frank Amponsah
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The Association of Mining Communities of Ghana (AMCOG) has paid glowing tribute to the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi, describing his tenure as unparalleled in leadership and transformational in impact.
In a farewell statement and interviews with community leaders, AMCOG said Mr. Ayisi’s four years at the helm of the Commission had changed not just the face of the institution, but also the fortunes of mining communities across the country.
“He Changed the Commission Forever”
According to the Chairman of AMCOG, Nana Kwabena Adjei, “When Martin Ayisi took over, the Commission was seen as a bureaucratic, distant body. Today, it is an institution of service, with offices in our communities, inspectors who understand our needs, and leaders who listen. He changed the Commission forever.”
Infrastructure Development: From Neglect to Modern Offices
One of the clearest symbols of his legacy is the infrastructural development of the Commission’s offices nationwide. For decades, branch offices were left in a state of neglect — with dilapidated buildings, poor logistics, and inadequate working environments.
Today, the story is different. Under Mr. Ayisi’s leadership, over 10 ultramodern regional and district offices have been constructed or rehabilitated, creating an entirely new image for the Minerals Commission.
Mining communities point to offices in Asanko, Konongo, Akim Oda, Bibiani, Tarkwa, Kumasi, and other hubs, which once stood in deplorable condition but have now been rebuilt into dignified, state-of-the-art facilities.
“At first, our local office in Bibiani was falling apart, and staff had no tools to work with,” said Madam Adwoa
Serwaa, a women’s group leader. “Today, the new office is a symbol of pride for our town. It tells us that the Commission respects us.”
Investing in People: Training for the Future
Alongside infrastructure, Mr. Ayisi invested heavily in human capital. More than 50 technical staff were trained abroad, acquiring world-class knowledge in mining regulation, geotechnical oversight, and community engagement.
“These men and women are the backbone of the new Minerals Commission,” remarked Mr. Samuel Kusi, AMCOG Secretary. “When they came back, they brought international standards into our local mining context. That is a legacy that cannot be erased.”
Reforms That Touched Communities
Mr. Ayisi’s leadership is credited with major reforms that reshaped Ghana’s mining governance:
– Formalization of Small-Scale Mining: Policies such as the Cooperative Mining framework, District Mining Committees, and the Ghana Landscape Restoration Project gave artisanal miners structured pathways to operate legally.
– Policy & Legal Modernization: His proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) sought tostrengthen accountability, close loopholes, and ensure host communities benefit more equitably.
– Decentralization of Services: With new offices across the nation, miners no longer had to travel to Accra forpermits and services.
– Environmental Stewardship: His era saw a renewed focus on land reclamation, sustainability projects, andresponsible mining.
– Inclusivity: Women and youth, long marginalized in the sector, were deliberately empowered through skillstraining and access to opportunities.
Communities Speak with Emotion
For many, his departure is personal. Chiefs, miners, and community representatives recall his humility and accessibility.
“Martin Ayisi was not just a CEO in Accra. He came to Tarkwa, he sat with us, he listened to our complaints,” said Nana Kwaku Bediako, a traditional leader. “That is why we call him not only a regulator but a servant leader.”
A youth representative in Konongo added: “We used to feel invisible, but under his leadership, we felt recognized. He gave small-scale miners a sense of legitimacy and pride.”
A Lasting Legacy
Export revenues from the ASM sector under his leadership surpassed USD 5 billion in 2024, while employment opportunities expanded to over one million Ghanaians. At the same time, Ghana’s mining governance is now seen as better aligned with international best practice, thanks to his forward-looking reforms.
AMCOG concluded: “From the new offices in Kumasi and Tarkwa, to the trained staff returning from abroad, to the miners now operating lawfully — everything bears the mark of his unparalleled leadership. He leaves behind not just a Commission, but a movement that has brought dignity back to Ghana’s mining communities.”
Farewell to a Servant Leader
As he bows out, mining communities across Ghana say their farewell with both pride and gratitude.
“Mr. Ayisi, you were not only a regulator,” the AMCOG Chairman summarized, “you were a reformer, a builder, and a brother. You leave behind an institution transformed and communities uplifted. Your leadership was unparalleled, and your impact will endure.”
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