The Association of Small Scale Miners will stage a demonstration dubbed “Ku Me Preko†in Kumasi, on June 26, 2018, to protest against government’s refusal to lift the ban on Small Scale Mining, more than a year after its imposition.
According to the President of the small Scale Miners Association, Richard Kojo Peprah who made the announcement at a press conference in Akwatia on Tuesday, government’s fight against illegal mining which prompted the ban has proven to be a failure because it has failed to adopt the right strategies.
“It will be not far fetched to suggest that government has run out of ideas dealing with the problems and that it has no justification to continue to keep legitimate license of Ghanaians confined to their homes. We Concerned Small Scale Miners Association wish to draw government’s attention that the military intervention to fight illegal mining has proven to be ineffective ever since the menace became a national crisisâ€.
Mr. Peprah added that they cannot continue to endure the ban which is affecting their finances, health and causing indebtedness to numerous families.
“We cannot endure any longer, idling away precious manpower while our equipment gather dust and rust. Our concessions are being taken over by reptiles and illegal miners. Our bank accounts hitting red, our members going impotent and bankrupt, our homes breaking, and we becoming objects of public ridiculeâ€.
He added “we will not hesitate to speak the only language government understands and we forewarn that this time no amount of pressure, humiliation, intimidation can cow us from venting our frustrations on the street to make our case of our legal chosen businessâ€.
Hundreds of Small Scale Miners nationwide are expected to converge at Kumasi for the demonstration.