The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) is perplexed by the call for the ban of small-scale mining, asking why they should be banned when some large scale miners also destroy water bodies.
“When you watch river Densu, which picks it’s source through Portrase before getting to Accra, you realize that it’s polluted but it belongs to a large scale company it’s not a small mining company but if these things happen then they push it small scale meanwhile it’s in the large scale company”.
“When you get to Ayensu going to Asamankese it drains into the Densu river you have illegal miners there and it’s a large scale company so why should they ban small scale for something they’ve not done” they revealed during a media engagement.
According to the association, they do not understand why those who are perpetuating the acts are not being called to order.They believe they should be called to order.
“We are prepared to collaborate with all stake holders like the Ghana Medial Association, the Union Teachers Association all of them we’re prepared to engage because the solution is not the ban”.
“If we were able to get the solution of the ban in 2017-2019, we will be able to get it now too but 2018 was the highest gold production during that ban, legitimate small scale miners were out and the illegal miners were on the field working”they emphasized.
He added that at the time, forest reserves were invaded so the only solution now is to work together with the other associations and unions.
“If we are able to work together at the district level, we’ll be able to reduce the menace of illegal mining in the country. We need strong political will from our leaders and chiefs” he said.
He accused some of our chiefs especially the Odikros as part of the cause problem”.
“They are in their area working with these people taking some monies from them every week. Habouring them in their communities and they are perpetuating the illegalities whiles Ghanaians are calling for small scale mining to be banned”.
The association mentioned that they are still going to work with the chiefs through the paramountcy to ensure that such leaders in those communities are brought to books.
