A group of concerned small-scale miners has called on the government to enforce existing laws regulating their industry instead of imposing a blanket ban.
The miners argue that a ban would unfairly target legitimate operators while failing to address the root causes of environmental degradation and pollution.
The group, led by Philip Bawa and Daniel Kwaku Mensah, pointed out that small-scale mining has been legal in Ghana since 1989, under PNDC Law 218, which was later replaced by the Mining and Minerals Act, 2006 (Act 703).
They noted that there are already institutions mandated to enforce regulations in the sector.
The miners urged the government to work with legal operators to identify and prosecute those engaged in illegal activities, rather than resorting to a ban.
They warned against politicizing the issue and called for a multi-sectoral approach to address the environmental concerns.
“We must all get involved in this fight to protect our environment,” the group said, urging fellow miners to join the effort to root out illegal operators.
Below is the full statement :
PRESS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STOP PLAYING POLITICAL FOOTBALL WITH ILLEGAL MINING.
In recent times there have been rising calls by various groups and prominent personalities for government to place an outright ban on small-scale mining. This is in view of what is happening regarding pollution of water bodies and destruction of the environment by some unscrupulous persons involved in illegal small-scale mining across the country. While it is important to deal with the obvious activities of some miscreants, it is worthy of note that there is no law backing calls for a ban on legitimate Small-Scale mining in the country.
The groups and individuals making such calls must understand the following.
- PNDC LAW 218,ON THE SECOND JUNE 1989 MADE SMALL SCALE MINING LEGAL IN GHANA
- MINING AND MINERALS ACT, 2006,ACT 703 REPLACED 218
- THERE ARE LEGALLY MANDATED INSTITUTIONS TO ENFORCE THE OPERATIONS OF THE SMALL SCALE MINING SUBSECTOTR.
With the above, we think the various laws backing the operations of small-scale mining must be enforced to the letter to serve as a deterrent to unscrupulous persons engaged in illegal small-scale mining.
Government agencies tasked with managing the space should work with legal small-scale miners to fish out the criminals in the space instead of calls for a total ban.
We shudder to ask, despite the activities of some fake men of God, has there been a call for a ban on the activities of churches?
Dealing with the activities of the illegal mining group requires a multi-sectoral approach and not a knew-jerk one.
It is sad we are playing political football with the menace. We must as a people call out politicians who want to ride on the back of galamsey to win the sympathy of Ghanaians for electoral purposes.
Politicians should allow duty bearers do their work by ensuring that those found breaching the laws on small-scale mining are arrested are prosecuted.
We must all get involved in this fight to protect our environment. As a legal miner, we will do everything to ensure the right things are done And so we call on my colleagues to join this war against illegal miners.
Signed
Philip Bawa
Concerned Small-Scale Miner.(0243310076)
Daniel Kwaku Mensah(Hon)
0248732072
Source: www.kumasimail.com
