Organised Labour Unions Demand For Gov’t To Ban Small Scale Mining Activities Is Misdirected
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The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mining , Hon George Mireku Duker broke the hint on Thursday 12th September 2024 at Denkyira Meretweso in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region when he commissioned Meretweso Community Mining Scheme, the first in the municipality to afford the opportunity for artisanal small scale miners to engage in Responsible Small Scale Mining.
Hon George Mireku Duker, who is also the member of parliament for the Tarkwa – Nsuaem constituency in the western region hinted that , it is sad most of the country’s rivers and water bodies have been polluted through illegal mining ( Galamsey) activities which calls for worry.
Even though, variousinstitutions and labour unions are expressing their displeasure asking government to ban the activities of small scale mining is impossible because not every registered and licensed small scale miner is engaged in illegal mining.
According to the deputy Lands and Natural Resources minister in charge of mining mote a huge number of jobs have been created through responsible small scale mining in the country. Hence, the call on government to ban it is a non starter.
Government, according to Hon Mireku Duker, will continue to enforce the task force team on our various rivers and water bodies and the forest reserves to flush out those engaging in illegal mining activities to salvage our rivers and protect Ghana’s forest reserves.
He urged the various organised and labour unions as well as the good people of Ghana to remain calm since the NPP led President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the presidential candidate of the NPP for 2024, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia have not leave any stone unturned in their quest to fight Galamsey.
Hon George Mireku Duker expressed worry about comments made by some high level personalities within the opposition NDC who in the round up to the 2020 general elections visited every mining communities to incite Galamseyers to vote for the NDC to win power so that Galamseyers can be offered the opportunity to mine illegally. Saying this development has affected the NPP which led to the lose of parliamentary seats and reduced the party’s vote in the last general elections.
Thus, the NPP government through the Lands and Natural Resources ministry is committed to winning the illegal mining fight .
An executive member of the small scale miners in Dunkwa on Offin, Mr Armstrong Gyedu clearly distinguished the difference between artisanal / responsible small scale mining activities and that of Galamsey activities saying, the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is committed to responsible small scale mining of which majority of the licenced and registered small scale miners have embraced and resorted to.
He said, the call on government to ban all forms of small scale mining activities in the country will not be the best because, not every small scale miner is engaged in illegal mining activities.
Mr Armstrong Gyedu hinted that over 3,000, 000 people are beneficial direct and indirect jobs through the activities of responsible small scale mining in Ghana.
