The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has engaged the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners as part of consultations aimed at finding practical solutions to challenges facing Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.
The engagement, held on Thursday, August 27, brought together Dr Bawumia and members of the NPP’s Identifiable Groups Committee on the Extractive Sector.
The discussions focused on the difficulties confronting small-scale miners and possible reforms to promote responsible mining while protecting the environment and sustaining livelihoods.
In a Facebook post after the meeting, Dr Bawumia said the consultations were intended to help shape practical measures for improving the sector.
“We discussed the challenges facing small-scale mining and practical reforms to promote responsible mining, protect the environment, create jobs and strengthen local value addition,” he said.
Dr Bawumia stressed the need for reforms that would make small-scale mining more sustainable and productive while addressing the environmental challenges associated with mining activities.
The small-scale mining sector provides livelihoods for thousands of Ghanaians and contributes to economic activity in mining communities. However, the sector has also faced concerns over environmental degradation, illegal mining and the need for stronger regulatory and institutional support.
The engagement with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners forms part of broader consultations being undertaken by the NPP with stakeholders in Ghana’s extractive sector.
The consultations are expected to provide an opportunity for industry players and other stakeholders to present their concerns and proposals, which could inform policies and reforms for the sector.