The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has dismissed calls for a complete ban on small-scale mining operations, describing them as misdirected.
While condemning the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, he affirmed the government’s commitment to promoting responsible mining practices.
Mr. Duker’s comments come in response to demands from professional bodies, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), urging President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose an immediate ban on small-scale mining to combat environmental degradation.
Organised Labour has also warned of a nationwide strike if the government fails to take decisive action against illegal mining activities.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Mr. Duker argued that banning small-scale mining entirely would be a misplaced priority.
He added that the government will soon deploy river guards to protect water bodies from further damage.
“It is misdirected because I was expecting them to have condemned the statement made by his excellency the former President Mahama before even calling for this action because you can’t just in a way out of the blue you just say put a ban. Ban on what.
“What are the metrics, what have you done. What analysis have you done. The statement President Mahama made was unfortunate so why didn’t they in a way ask him to apologise.”
“Secondly, yes people are destroying our waterbodies there are measures we need to take to clamp down recalcitrants who are destroying our waterbodies, and I agree with them perfectly…But I am against it. Personally against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining,” Mireku Duker remarked.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu
