Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin
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Nr. 4, Review of Survey activities 2003, pp. 93-96 |
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93
Between October 2001 and the end of 2003 there was a close
co-operation between the Geological Survey of Denmark and
Greenland (GEUS) and the Geological Survey Department
of Ghana (GSD), as part of a project to enhance GSD's insti-
tutional capabilities and effectiveness, mainly in the fields of
management, geological mapping, map production and data
handling. During this period a team of geologists, GIS
(Geographic Information System) and database experts as
well as administrative staff from GEUS have visited GSD,
and GSD officers have visited GEUS in Copenhagen.
co-operation between the Geological Survey of Denmark and
Greenland (GEUS) and the Geological Survey Department
of Ghana (GSD), as part of a project to enhance GSD's insti-
tutional capabilities and effectiveness, mainly in the fields of
management, geological mapping, map production and data
handling. During this period a team of geologists, GIS
(Geographic Information System) and database experts as
well as administrative staff from GEUS have visited GSD,
and GSD officers have visited GEUS in Copenhagen.
The main obstacles to GSD becoming an effective organ-
isation are its status as a department under the Ghana
Ministry of Mines, insufficient funding by the government,
and poor remuneration of its professional staff. To overcome
these obstacles, attempts are being made to change the status
of GSD from a `civil servant organisation' into a semi-
autonomous institution, which will permit the Survey to
generate funding for its core activities by providing services to
outside organisations, and pay better salaries to its personnel.
Ministry of Mines, insufficient funding by the government,
and poor remuneration of its professional staff. To overcome
these obstacles, attempts are being made to change the status
of GSD from a `civil servant organisation' into a semi-
autonomous institution, which will permit the Survey to
generate funding for its core activities by providing services to
outside organisations, and pay better salaries to its personnel.
Despite many problems, geological mapping has been
resumed and three new geological maps have been produced
by GSD during the project and stored in GIS format. A map-
ping manual has been prepared, and the structure and
`Mission and Vision Statements' for the Survey have been
revised.
by GSD during the project and stored in GIS format. A map-
ping manual has been prepared, and the structure and
`Mission and Vision Statements' for the Survey have been
revised.
Geology and mineral resources
Ghana lies in West Africa, at between 5° and 11° north of the
Equator (Fig. 1). It has a surface area of c. 240 000 km
Equator (Fig. 1). It has a surface area of c. 240 000 km
2
and
c. 20 million inhabitants. Its main export commodities are
gold, cocoa and timber. Apart from gold, Ghana hosts major
occurrences of manganese, bauxite, diamonds and other raw
materials.
gold, cocoa and timber. Apart from gold, Ghana hosts major
occurrences of manganese, bauxite, diamonds and other raw
materials.
Most of western and northern Ghana is underlain by
Palaeoproterozoic, isoclinally folded, metabasaltic and meta-
sedimentary rocks of the `Birimian Supergroup' (age ~ 2.2
Ga; Taylor et al. 1992; Hirdes & Davis 1998). The meta-
basalts (Fig. 2) form a number of NESW-trending volcanic
belts, separated by metasedimentary basins (Fig. 1; Kesse
1985; Leube et al. 1990). A slightly younger, unconformable
unit of sandstones and conglomerates, the `Tark-waian Group',
overlies the Birimian volcanic rocks (Fig. 1). Rocks of the
sedimentary rocks of the `Birimian Supergroup' (age ~ 2.2
Ga; Taylor et al. 1992; Hirdes & Davis 1998). The meta-
basalts (Fig. 2) form a number of NESW-trending volcanic
belts, separated by metasedimentary basins (Fig. 1; Kesse
1985; Leube et al. 1990). A slightly younger, unconformable
unit of sandstones and conglomerates, the `Tark-waian Group',
overlies the Birimian volcanic rocks (Fig. 1). Rocks of the
Birimian Supergroup are cut by numerous granitoid intru-
sions (Fig. 3), which have yielded ages of 2.22.1 Ga (Hirdes
et al. 1992). Most of Ghana's mineral deposits are associated
with Birimian supracrustal rocks; gold also occurs within
Tarkwaian conglomerates.
sions (Fig. 3), which have yielded ages of 2.22.1 Ga (Hirdes
et al. 1992). Most of Ghana's mineral deposits are associated
with Birimian supracrustal rocks; gold also occurs within
Tarkwaian conglomerates.
The central part of the country is occupied by a thick suc-
cession of undeformed Neoproterozoic to Early Palaeozoic
sedimentary rocks, mainly sandstones (the `Voltaian basin'),
sedimentary rocks, mainly sandstones (the `Voltaian basin'),
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin 4, 9396 (2004) © GEUS, 2004
Co-operation with the Geological Survey Department
of Ghana
of Ghana
Feiko Kalsbeek, Bjørn Hermansen, Christian Knudsen, Leif Thorning and Marianne Thorsen
Fig. 1. Simplified geological map of Ghana, modified from Kesse (1985).
Granitoid rocks are subdivided into c. 2.2 Ga `Belt-type granites' and c.
2.1 Ga `Basin-type granites', which are mineralogically and chemically
distinct (Hirdes et al. 1992).
which have not been studied in detail. The eastern part of the
country consists of a number of thrust sheets composed of
sedimentary and crystalline rocks, the ages of which are not
well known. They were emplaced during the pan-African
orogenic cycle ~ 600 Ma ago (Hirdes & Davis 2002).
country consists of a number of thrust sheets composed of
sedimentary and crystalline rocks, the ages of which are not
well known. They were emplaced during the pan-African
orogenic cycle ~ 600 Ma ago (Hirdes & Davis 2002).
Along the coast and offshore a succession of Palaeozoic
and Mesozoic sedimentary rocks occurs, and there is a lim-
ited offshore production of hydrocarbons.
ited offshore production of hydrocarbons.
The Geological Survey Department of
Ghana and GEUS' involvement
Ghana and GEUS' involvement
The Geological Survey Department of Ghana was established
in 1913 as the `Gold Coast Geological Survey'. Through the
years it has made major contributions to the understanding
of the geology of the country, forming the basis for explo-
ration and exploitation of the mineral resources. Geological
mapping before the Second World War was restricted mainly
to regional studies, and the first geological map at 1:1 000 000
was published in 1955. After gaining independence in 1957,
the new Ghana government invested much energy in the
Survey in order to boost the mineral industry, and during the
1960s and 1970s large parts of the country were geologically
mapped in more detail. In the beginning the Survey was sup-
ported by a number of geologists from the former Soviet
Union, but this co-operation was brought to an end for polit-
ical reasons. Since the early 1980s GSD has been supported
in several projects by the German Bundesanstalt für
Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR). Nevertheless,
mainly as the result of economic starvation, the activities of
the Survey during the last few decades have gradually dimi-
in 1913 as the `Gold Coast Geological Survey'. Through the
years it has made major contributions to the understanding
of the geology of the country, forming the basis for explo-
ration and exploitation of the mineral resources. Geological
mapping before the Second World War was restricted mainly
to regional studies, and the first geological map at 1:1 000 000
was published in 1955. After gaining independence in 1957,
the new Ghana government invested much energy in the
Survey in order to boost the mineral industry, and during the
1960s and 1970s large parts of the country were geologically
mapped in more detail. In the beginning the Survey was sup-
ported by a number of geologists from the former Soviet
Union, but this co-operation was brought to an end for polit-
ical reasons. Since the early 1980s GSD has been supported
in several projects by the German Bundesanstalt für
Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR). Nevertheless,
mainly as the result of economic starvation, the activities of
the Survey during the last few decades have gradually dimi-
nished. Equipment could not be maintained, qualified staff
left, and ultimately the Survey was no longer able to perform
many of its natural duties.
left, and ultimately the Survey was no longer able to perform
many of its natural duties.
During the late 1990s the Ghana government decided
that GSD should be gradually reconstructed and upgraded in
order to improve its effectiveness. This process has been sup-
ported by the World Bank, through a loan from the Nordic
Development Fund. GEUS was selected to help with the
reconstruction of GSD under a contract with the Minerals
Commission of Ghana (NDF Credit 156-14). The project
ran from 1 October 2001 to 31 December 2003, and the
contract sum was c. 350 000.
order to improve its effectiveness. This process has been sup-
ported by the World Bank, through a loan from the Nordic
Development Fund. GEUS was selected to help with the
reconstruction of GSD under a contract with the Minerals
Commission of Ghana (NDF Credit 156-14). The project
ran from 1 October 2001 to 31 December 2003, and the
contract sum was c. 350 000.
Aims of the project
The main topics to be addressed during the project were:
1. Formulation of new `Mission and Vision Statements'.
2. Development of a new organisational structure.
3. Reorganisation of the Survey's Division for Geological
2. Development of a new organisational structure.
3. Reorganisation of the Survey's Division for Geological
Mapping, including the preparation of a GSD mapping
manual.
manual.
4. Upgrading the Survey's capability to handle digital data
and provide information in digital form.
5. Supporting the Survey's programme of Human Resources
Development.
Several of these topics had been initiated by GSD before the
beginning of its co-operation with GEUS.
beginning of its co-operation with GEUS.
94
Fig. 2. Pillow lava at Butre, a
coastal village west of Takoradi.
Hammer for scale.
Approach
The original plan for the project was that a consultant should
provide the Survey with a single adviser. In GEUS' bid for the
project, however, it was suggested that, instead of providing
one adviser, a team should be formed to support the Survey,
consisting of a team leader, who would spend about half of
the time in Ghana, and a number of short-time specialists
would make periodic visits. In this way it was thought that
GEUS would be able to provide support in a number of sub-
jects which could not be covered by one single person.
Permission was later obtained for GSD officers to visit GEUS
in Copenhagen for shorter periods, instead of GEUS officers
visiting Ghana.
provide the Survey with a single adviser. In GEUS' bid for the
project, however, it was suggested that, instead of providing
one adviser, a team should be formed to support the Survey,
consisting of a team leader, who would spend about half of
the time in Ghana, and a number of short-time specialists
would make periodic visits. In this way it was thought that
GEUS would be able to provide support in a number of sub-
jects which could not be covered by one single person.
Permission was later obtained for GSD officers to visit GEUS
in Copenhagen for shorter periods, instead of GEUS officers
visiting Ghana.
An Inception Report was prepared jointly by GEUS and
GSD in December 2001 to outline further plans for the pro-
ject. Progress Reports were prepared for each of the four fol-
lowing half-year periods, including Mission Reports on each
visit made. In December 2003 a draft Final Report was sub-
mitted.
ject. Progress Reports were prepared for each of the four fol-
lowing half-year periods, including Mission Reports on each
visit made. In December 2003 a draft Final Report was sub-
mitted.
GSD's formal status
GSD is at present a Department under the Ghana Ministry
of Mines. This has a number of consequences that impede
the development of the Survey as an effective organisation:
of Mines. This has a number of consequences that impede
the development of the Survey as an effective organisation:
1. Governmental funding is insufficient.
2. Salaries are very low, as the staff are employed as public
2. Salaries are very low, as the staff are employed as public
servants. Young geologists have difficulties in supporting
their families and will leave for better paid jobs as soon as
possible. As a result of low salaries, poor funding and lack
of other incentives, the level of job satisfaction is low.
their families and will leave for better paid jobs as soon as
possible. As a result of low salaries, poor funding and lack
of other incentives, the level of job satisfaction is low.
3. As a Ministerial Department the Survey has to follow
strict rules for promotion of its personnel. Seniority
plays a far greater role in this process than qualifications
and performance.
plays a far greater role in this process than qualifications
and performance.
4. Dismissal of redundant personnel is virtually impossible
under the present situation. The Survey has some 300
employees, far more than can be kept usefully occupied
with the available funding.
employees, far more than can be kept usefully occupied
with the available funding.
The problems for GSD imposed by its status as a Ministerial
Department have been recognised by the government and,
with legal advice from GEUS, a new `Geological Survey Act'
has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Mines
for further consideration. This act, if and when accepted by
the Ghana Parliament, will transform the Survey into a semi-
autonomous organisation, which will be able to generate
funding for its core activities by providing services to outside
organisations. Moreover, the Survey will have the possibility
Department have been recognised by the government and,
with legal advice from GEUS, a new `Geological Survey Act'
has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Mines
for further consideration. This act, if and when accepted by
the Ghana Parliament, will transform the Survey into a semi-
autonomous organisation, which will be able to generate
funding for its core activities by providing services to outside
organisations. Moreover, the Survey will have the possibility
of adjusting the number of staff employed to its actual needs.
In a close co-operation between GSD and GEUS, `Mission
and Vision Statements' for this new organisation were for-
mulated, and an organisational structure suggested.
In a close co-operation between GSD and GEUS, `Mission
and Vision Statements' for this new organisation were for-
mulated, and an organisational structure suggested.
Main achievements during the project
Lack of sufficient funding for field work etc. has severely lim-
ited the success of the project. Nevertheless, with GEUS sup-
port, GSD has made significant progress, especially in the
fields of geological mapping, GIS applications, database
issues and human resources development.
ited the success of the project. Nevertheless, with GEUS sup-
port, GSD has made significant progress, especially in the
fields of geological mapping, GIS applications, database
issues and human resources development.
Geological mapping
At the beginning of the present project, geological mapping
had been started in five areas in Ghana. Four of these map-
had been started in five areas in Ghana. Four of these map-
95
Fig. 3. Strongly deformed granitoid gneisses at Abuesi, a coastal village
west of Takoradi. The gneiss has been dated at c. 2180 Ma (zircon U- pb);
a granitic vein has yielded zircon and monazite U-Pb ages of c. 2100 Ma
(D.W. Davis in Loh & Hirdes 1999).
96
ping projects were completed by June 2002, and new geolo-
gical maps were produced. Mapping in one area could not be
concluded; this is an area in eastern Ghana consisting of
supracrustal rocks that require experience in stratigraphy and
sedimentology, at that time not available at GSD.
gical maps were produced. Mapping in one area could not be
concluded; this is an area in eastern Ghana consisting of
supracrustal rocks that require experience in stratigraphy and
sedimentology, at that time not available at GSD.
All mapping teams were visited in the field. Most of the
geologists responsible for the mapping do an excellent job.
However, most of the junior (assistant) geologists need more
training before they will be able to carry out independent
mapping projects.
However, most of the junior (assistant) geologists need more
training before they will be able to carry out independent
mapping projects.
Compilation of the new geological maps (1:100 000) was
carried out in Accra. Thin sections and chemical analyses pre-
pared by GEUS were used for the correct identification of the
various rock types. The final maps were prepared by the staff
of GSD's GIS laboratory with support from GEUS. This was
the first time that new GIS geological maps have been pro-
duced at the Survey.
pared by GEUS were used for the correct identification of the
various rock types. The final maps were prepared by the staff
of GSD's GIS laboratory with support from GEUS. This was
the first time that new GIS geological maps have been pro-
duced at the Survey.
Digitising old geological maps and reports
In order to save old geological maps in GSD's archives from
deterioration, digitising of existing maps has had a high pri-
ority during the project. A database was made with informa-
tion on all existing maps. GEUS helped train GSD staff in
the application of GIS in map production. Fourteen old
maps were digitised during the project period, and a CD-
ROM with these maps has been prepared. This has been one
of the most successful parts of the project.
deterioration, digitising of existing maps has had a high pri-
ority during the project. A database was made with informa-
tion on all existing maps. GEUS helped train GSD staff in
the application of GIS in map production. Fourteen old
maps were digitised during the project period, and a CD-
ROM with these maps has been prepared. This has been one
of the most successful parts of the project.
Databases
Since there is an urgent need for GSD to be able to present
its data to the public in the form of databases, a major effort
has been made to upgrade the Survey's experience in this
field. GEUS has analysed which databases would be most
needed and, in order to improve the understanding of data-
base issues at GSD, a Minerals Occurrence Database has
been established.
its data to the public in the form of databases, a major effort
has been made to upgrade the Survey's experience in this
field. GEUS has analysed which databases would be most
needed and, in order to improve the understanding of data-
base issues at GSD, a Minerals Occurrence Database has
been established.
Human Resources Development
Continuous training of its staff as well as recruitment of
skilled young geologists will be necessary for GSD to become
a strong and professional Geological Survey. In this context
major parts of GEUS' efforts under the project have been
skilled young geologists will be necessary for GSD to become
a strong and professional Geological Survey. In this context
major parts of GEUS' efforts under the project have been
directed to practical on-the-job training of GSD personnel.
Apart from training related to geological mapping, GIS and
databases described above, GEUS has provided a collection
of thin sections with descriptions of typical Greenland rocks,
given courses in the microscopic study and classification of
rocks, provided training in geological mapping for two GSD
geologists as participants in GEUS' 2002 mapping project in
Greenland, sponsored an excursion for a group of GSD geolo-
gists in the Western and Central Regions of Ghana, and con-
ducted a training course for GSD's management on internal
co-operation and related issues.
Apart from training related to geological mapping, GIS and
databases described above, GEUS has provided a collection
of thin sections with descriptions of typical Greenland rocks,
given courses in the microscopic study and classification of
rocks, provided training in geological mapping for two GSD
geologists as participants in GEUS' 2002 mapping project in
Greenland, sponsored an excursion for a group of GSD geolo-
gists in the Western and Central Regions of Ghana, and con-
ducted a training course for GSD's management on internal
co-operation and related issues.
Sustainability
There is no doubt that co-operation with GEUS has
improved the ability of GSD to carry out several of its main
functions. However, for these improvements to be sustain-
able in the future, it is imperative that the Survey is changed
into a semi-autonomous organisation. Only then will the
Survey have the possibility to generate income to cover parts
of its running expenses. Moreover, it would be able to adapt
the number of staff to its actual needs and provide better
wages for its remaining personnel, thereby improving job sat-
isfaction and limiting the number of well-qualified staff that
leave the organisation.
improved the ability of GSD to carry out several of its main
functions. However, for these improvements to be sustain-
able in the future, it is imperative that the Survey is changed
into a semi-autonomous organisation. Only then will the
Survey have the possibility to generate income to cover parts
of its running expenses. Moreover, it would be able to adapt
the number of staff to its actual needs and provide better
wages for its remaining personnel, thereby improving job sat-
isfaction and limiting the number of well-qualified staff that
leave the organisation.
References
Hirdes, W. & Davis, D.W. 1998: First U-Pb zircon age of extrusive vol-
canism in the Birimian Supergroup of Ghana/West Africa. Journal of
African Earth Sciences 27, 291294.
African Earth Sciences 27, 291294.
Hirdes, W. & Davis, D.W. 2002: U-Pb zircon and rutile metamorphic ages
of Dahomeyan garnet-hornblende gneisses in southeastern Ghana,
West Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 35, 445449.
West Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 35, 445449.
Hirdes, W., Davis, D.W. & Eisenlohr, B.N. 1992: Reassessment of
Proterozoic granitoid ages in Ghana on the basis of U/Pb zircon and
monazite dating. Precambrian Research 56, 8996.
monazite dating. Precambrian Research 56, 8996.
Kesse, G.O. 1985: The mineral and rock resources of Ghana. xiv + 610
pp. Rotterdam: Balkema.
Leube, A., Hirdes, W., Mauer, R. & Kesse, G.O. 1990: The Early
Proterozoic Birimian Supergroup of Ghana and some aspects of its
associated gold mineralization. Precambrian Research 46, 139165.
associated gold mineralization. Precambrian Research 46, 139165.
Loh, G. & Hirdes, W. 1999: Explanatory notes for the geological map of
Southwest Ghana 1:100,000 Sekondi (0402A) and Axim (0403B)
sheets. With contributions from C. Anani, D.W. Davis and U.K. Vetter.
Geologisches Jahrbuch Reihe B. Heft 93, 149 pp. + 2 maps.
sheets. With contributions from C. Anani, D.W. Davis and U.K. Vetter.
Geologisches Jahrbuch Reihe B. Heft 93, 149 pp. + 2 maps.
Taylor, P.N., Moorbath, S., Leube, A. & Hirdes, W. 1992: Early Proterozoic
crustal evolution in the Birimian of Ghana: constraints from
geochronology and isotope geology. Precambrian Research 56,
97111.
geochronology and isotope geology. Precambrian Research 56,
97111.
Authors' address
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark. E-mail: ckn@geus.dk
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark. E-mail: ckn@geus.dk
