By The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has dismissed calls for an immediate and blanket ban on small-scale mining, labeling these calls as misguided.
While condemning the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, Duker emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting responsible mining practices.
Duker highlighted that the government remains steadfast in its fight against illegal mining but urged for collaborative efforts to tackle the issue effectively.
His comments respond to recent appeals from professional organizations, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and various unions, who have urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to implement a ban as a solution to the severe environmental damage from illegal mining activities.
Organized Labour has warned of a potential nationwide strike if the government does not take decisive action to address the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, particularly to water bodies.
During the commissioning of the Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region, Mr. Duker emphasized that a blanket ban on small-scale mining would be a misplaced priority.
He also announced that the government plans to deploy river guards soon to protect and preserve the river bodies.
“It is misdirected because I was expecting them to have condemned the statement made by his excellency the former President Mahama before even calling for this action because you can’t just in a way out of the blue you just say put a ban. Ban on what.
“What are the metrics, what have you done. What analysis have you done. The statement President Mahama made was unfortunate so why didn’t they in a way ask him to apologise.”
“Secondly, yes people are destroying our waterbodies there are measures we need to take to clamp down recalcitrants who are destroying our waterbodies, and I agree with them perfectly…But I am against it.
“Personally against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining,” he stated.
