The Responsible Small Scale Miners Association (RSSMA) has urged the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Christian Council, and other advocacy groups to refrain from treating all mining companies in Ghana as though they are engaged in illegal mining activities.
Addressing the media in Kumasi on Sunday, the President of the Association, Mr. Philip Bawah, described calls for a blanket ban on all mining activities as “simplistic” and unfair. He argued that, much like in other sectors, there are both responsible and irresponsible actors in the mining industry.
“It is true that some of our colleagues are engaged in illegal mining, but it’s important to recognize that many of us have gone through the proper channels and obtained licenses. We are committed to conducting responsible and environmentally sound mining on our concessions,” Mr. Bawah stated.
Support for Government’s Anti-Illegal Mining Measures
The RSSMA expressed its support for the government’s recent initiative to tackle illegal mining. Specifically, Mr. Bawah endorsed the creation of a five-member ministerial ad-hoc committee tasked with evaluating the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining and reviewing the measures implemented to address the environmental damage caused by such activities.
Rather than resorting to harsh measures or hostility, he suggested that a well-structured road map be developed and followed to effectively curb illegal mining.
“We are fully behind the government’s swift action in setting up the committee, and we believe that the fight against illegal mining should be approached with careful planning and without the use of excessive force,” Mr. Bawah noted.
Call to Avoid Politicization
The Association emphasized that the fight against illegal mining should remain non-political. According to Mr. Bawah, efforts to address the issue must be kept free from political influence, as politicization could undermine the overall effectiveness of the campaign.
Urging Better Supervision
Mr. Bawah also called on the Minerals Commission and other state agencies to improve their monitoring and supervision of licensed mining sites. He suggested that regular inspections and enforcement actions would encourage licensed miners to adhere to responsible practices, while also helping to eliminate those engaging in illegal activities.
“We reiterate our support for the fight against illegal mining, particularly the measures aimed at preventing mining in water bodies and unlicensed operations in forest reserves. However, we strongly oppose any attempt to lump responsible, legal small-scale miners together with illegal operators, as suggested by the TUC. The Minerals Commission must also take responsibility for the lax oversight that has contributed to the current challenges,” Mr. Bawah added.
The RSSMA remains committed to supporting efforts to end illegal mining, but it insists that licensed and responsible miners should not be unfairly targeted in the process.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
