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Dr Daniel Boamah, Acting Director of the Geological Survey Department (GSD), has called for the timely passage of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) Bill to help transform the Department to effectively and efficiently perform its core mandates.

The GSD was mandated to conduct systematic geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and mineral exploration, among others.

He said it would also help the GSD to explore other minerals other than gold, for example, base metals, rare earth metals, uranium, among others, in the Voltaian Basin to assist in the mineral diversification of the mining industry.

Dr Boamah stated when the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy paid an official visit to the GSD to discuss its programmes of activities for 2016.

He said the passage of the Bill would also help retain its qualified and skilled staff.

“It will also enable us train our staff in all disciplines to build the needed capacity for the Department to deliver,” added.

He also called for the re-organization of the GSD to help the nation diversify its mineral resource base from the traditionally exploited gold, bauxite, and manganese deposits

The Acting Director also called on the government to revisit the pre-paid metering system at the Department because of the critical and sensitive nature of some of their equipment that need power 24 hours.

Dr Boamah said since the change-over to pre-paid meter, the Department spent GHC1,000.00 each day on electricity at the headquarters, while the Seismic station spends GHC 500.00 each day on electricity credits.

He said their inability to sustain supply of power led to the destruction of most of their equipment and appealed to the Committee Members to make a case on their behalf so that they retain their Internally Generated Funds to meet their re-current expenditure (payment for pre-paid credits).    

Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, Chairman of the Select Committee, said the visit formed part of their oversight responsibility to meet with agencies in the mining sector to discuss their respective programme for the 2016.

He was grateful for discussions and promised that the Select Committee would do everything possible to facilitate early passage of the bill.