The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to establish a Mining Extension Service that will enforce best practices among miners across the country targeting small scale miners.
The Mining Extension Service will operate under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“It will work closely with miners to promote safety and ensure that mining activities align with laws regulating small-scale mining” .
Outlining the NDC’s policies for the sector as part of its campaign activities in Wasa Akropong in the Western Region, Dr. Tony Aubynn, former chairman of the National Minerals Commission, called on miners to vote for the NDC to realize its vision for the sector.
“We have taken time to review the NPP manifesto, as you have, and you can clearly see that our policy proposals are far superior to those provided by our opponents. But to implement these proposals, you must ensure that former President Mahama is elected,” he added.
He reiterated, “The NDC has no policy intention to ban any private individual from buying gold from miners. If you are licensed, no one will stop you from conducting business, unlike what the NPP is doing with the Gold-for-Oil program,” he explained.
Dr. Tony Aubynn assured miners that the NDC would not adopt the NPP’s anti-illegal mining operations, which have involved harassment of small-scale miners by police, military, and other law enforcement agencies.
He added, “Small-scale miners, since independence, have suffered harassment from security forces, yet we haven’t achieved anything significant. What we in the NDC are saying is that we have practical experience to expand the sector by making sure that sector players operate in line with government policies, creating comfort for miners and the country at large.”
Pleased with the party’s policy proposals for miners, the miners assured the NDC of their votes, urging them to “walk the talk” if elected into office.
The NDC further explained that “persons who have held mining prospecting licenses for over ten years without operating will lose their licenses to those ready to mine, creating employment opportunities.”
Adjei Baffour, a member of the NDC mining committee, urged mining site owners in Wasa Akropong to close operations at least two days before the December 7 election to enable their workers to exercise their voting rights.
Through Kofi Ankrah, miners also called for improved security in mining communities to prevent robbery.
“We will vote for the NDC because the policies are clear and satisfactory, but we need a security base in Wasa Akropong, made up of police and military. Armed robbers are constantly targeting us, which doesn’t make mining safe,” he pleaded on behalf of the miners.
The NDC assured local miners that Chinese nationals would not be allowed to compete with them.
The Member of Parliament for the Wasa Amenfi East constituency, Nicholas Amankwah, commended the NDC for prioritizing mining communities in their manifesto. He expressed confidence that John Dramani Mahama’s next administration would create a suitable environment for miners to operate peacefully.
He added, “John Mahama will end needless national security mining operations that continue to raid gold buyers’ shops and mining sites for gold, money, and other valuable items.”
The NDC’s mining conference in Wasa Akropong, chaired by Dr. Tommy Aubynn, was attended by Samuel Hadjor of the NDC National Mining Committee, and Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of the Ghana Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, Adjei Baffour Acqua and Ebenezer Ayehu.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
