Community Mining Not Miniature Of Galamsey – Deputy Minister

 –Minister Clarifies, As Gov’t Prepares for Massive Crackdown       

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker, has clarified that the government’s flagship Community Mining Scheme (CMS) is not a miniature of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to him, while Community Mining, involves the use of environmentally friendly equipment, illegal mining on the other hand, involves the use heavy metals and destructive chemicals and equipment.

He emphasized that, the Akufo-Addo-led government is against illegal mining of any kind and will continue to fight the canker to protect the environment.

Mr Duker explained that the CMS, which has the support of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is a modern and more sustainable mineral exploration model.

The Deputy Minister, was speaking at the launch of Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Dunkwa-on-Offin Municipality of the Central Region on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

He disclosed that the concession would address unemployment challenges in the area with about 3000 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs to be created.

Push Back

Mr Duker, has also pushed back against calls by organized labour and civil society organisations for a total ban on mining, describing such demands as “misdirected”.

He said, rather than targeting all forms of mining, the focus should remain on combating illegal operations that harm Ghana’s natural resources.

The deputy minister, expressed disappointment that organized labour, had failed to hold opposition leader John Mahama accountable for pledging to release individuals imprisoned for illegal mining.

“It is a crime to mine illegally on our waterbodies and as citizens we must join the government to tackle this head-on. If communities along river bodies join the fight against irresponsible mining our rivers will be back to life. I have heard organized labour making calls to ban all forms of mining, but I want to say the call on the ban on mining is misdirected”, Duker stated.

“It is evident and indeed this played out during the 2020 elections where the governing party lost almost all mining communities due to the President’s firm stance against illegal mining. And so, I was expecting organized labour to call out former President John Mahama who had thwarted the government’s effort by his pledge to release all persons put behind bars for mining illegally and destroying the country’s waters”, he further explained.

Crackdown

Meanwhile, The Anchor is picking information that, President Akufo-Addo, has ordered the deployment of the police and military to crack down on illegal small-scale mining as calls grow for action.

The decision, according to Asaaseradio.com, was taken after a national security meeting to assess the impact of galamsey on river bodies and the environment.

Mr Duker, also announced that river guards would soon be deployed to areas for the protection of water resources and forests.

“We are going to have guards to safeguard the destruction of our river bodies to ensure that the rivers are clean from dirt. We have to protect our God-given natural resources”.

The deputy minister, reminded the community of their fiduciary responsibility to their communities and the country and urged them to collaborate with government to protect the environment.

He emphasized that “it is our collective responsibility to support and regularize community milking for the benefit of all.”

Providing update on the fight to protect Ghana’s mineral resources, the Deputy Minister, explained that the government has made significant in-roads and will continue to ensure the protection of the country’s forest cover and waterbodies.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive (DCE) of Dunkwa-Offin, Ebenezer Appiah Forson, highlighted the economic benefit the CMS is going to have on the community and others nearby.

He announced that, measures have already been instituted to ensure the total adherence to the regulations and urged the people to comply with them.

Dr Festus Awuah Kofi, the Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, promised that the measures outlined in the licensing regime, will be completely obeyed.

As government revs up operations to combat the illegal mining menace and protect the country’s water and forest resources, it also continues to create avenues for the economic empowerment of residents of mining communities with the Community Mining Scheme (CMS) being a prominent feature of this initiative.

In furtherance of these reformative measures, the government, has so far established 25 Community Mining Scheme concessions with the latest at Meretweso, being the 26th concession.

Source: Anchorghana.com