The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources who also doubles as the Campaign Coordinator for Mining Communities for the Bawumia Campaign team, George Mireku Duker has said it will be a misplaced priority on the part of government if it places a ban on small scale mining.
According to him, the government has put in place rigorous measures to fight illegal mining, and has plans to rollout additional measures to bring an end to the menace.
His comments come on the back of calls by civil society organization, advocacy groups, professional groups, and health advocacy groups, calling on the government to place a ban on small scale mining. These calls are as a result of the unprecedented levels of water and environmental pollution.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region, the deputy minister said, “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.”
He admitted that water bodies are being destroyed as a result of galamsey but the government is putting in place stringent measures to apprehend and prosecute these illegal miners.
“Personally against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining,” he stated.
Mireku Duker condemned the destruction of major water bodies and the environment by activities of illegal miners, emphasising that the government will continue to promote responsible mining operations.
He maintained that the government has not relented in its commitment to ending illegal mining activities but calls for concerted efforts to help address the situation.
