Small scale mining in the Ghana will remain an exclusive preserve for Ghanaians in the mining sector of the economy.
The development follows a growing discrepancy among members of the public that the current anti-galamsey fight by government actually involves sweeping out Ghanaians in the small scale mining industry.
However, the government has repeatedly pointed out that the efforts at ending illegal mining in the industry has nothing to do with the small scale miners.
Speaking on the issue President Nana Akufo – Addo reiterated his government’s position on preserving small scale mining in the country for only Ghanaian citizens.
He made the disclosure in a speech at Tarkwa on Tuesday August 8, 2017 during the second day of his three-day visit to the Western Region of Ghana.
The President encouraged Ghanaians in the small scale mining industry to desist from acting as front-men for foreign partners in a trade that has been lawfully reserved for Ghanaian citizens. “Let us abide by our lawsâ€, he said.
He went further to outline some measures adopted by his leadership to strengthen the small scale mining industry through the Multilateral Integrated Mining Project (MMIP).
The President said the MMIP will be the first comprehensive approach to address the menace of illegal mining – known as galamsey in Ghana.
Urging the residents of the area to ignore all rumors to the contrary, President Akufo stated that “Mining is part of [Ghana’s] heritage. It is not under an Akufo-Addo government that mining is going to be abolished. I can never abolish mining. Those saying I am trying to abolish mining are just doing propaganda. Mining is an integral part of our country’s heritageâ€.
He however noted (in defense of government’s effort to end galamsey) that, “mining in Ghana, from the times of our ancestors, have been undertaken without it destroying our water bodies and lands. The Birim, Densu, rivers we used to drink as children, have now been polluted as a result of galamsey. I, as President of the Republic, will not watch unconcerned whilst a few people destroy our lands and water bodiesâ€.
He hinted that several proposals have been received for the establishment of a gold refinery at Tarkwa and that if his government was trying to stop small scale mining activities, it would not consider such a measure.