The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has urged small-scale miners in the Central Region to partner government to help clean up the mining sector.
The minister stated that the current clean up exercise in the sector will ensure decent and a well-regulated mining for the development of the country.
According to the Minister,;government’s resolve to clean up the small-scale mining and root out illegalities in the sector is unflinching.
“Our efforts so far are seeing some level of results. You need sustained efforts to get results.
“The Small-Scale mining sector contributes about 40 percent of total gold production out of the country;and to the Gross Domestic product (GDP),;helping also to boost local economies. We will therefore continue to use broad-based support to regulate Small-Scale mining”.
Samuel Jinapor
The Minister stated this when he addressed the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale miners (GNASSM) at Dunkwa-on-offin in the Central Region.
Government, Mr. Jinapor indicated, was not relenting its efforts to root out illegal mining,;assuring that the ban on illegal mining was forever. He admonished small scale miners to mine right;to attract the needed benefits and tasked them to help push the sector forward.
Gov’t hasn’t given up on galamsey fight
Mr. Jinapor further dismissed claims that government has given up the fight against illegal mining. He then assured the miners that government was determined to sustain its efforts to curb the menace and promote peace and harmony in the sector.
Also, Honorable Jinapor lauded the role of chiefs in government’s efforts to sanitize the small-scale mining sector;as well as the Forestry and land sub-sectors. He noted that chiefs were critical agents of change who readily offer support,; advice and guidance toward a path of development.
The Lands Minister stated that government was counting on the support of the chiefs in executing plans and strategies aimed at ridding the country off illegal mining and forest degradation. Also
“The future of our country is threatened and we can’t allow it to continue. With your support, this government will put in all the efforts to achieve a sustainable and viable mining sector”.
Samuel Jinapor
Establish campus dedicated to mining
On his part, the Acting President of the Denkyire Traditional Council, Nana Agyei Nkyereyeh II, called for a campus dedicated to mining to deepen government’s resolve to promote sustainable mining in the area and the country at large.
The Chief, who is also the Adontenhene of Denkyira also called for the setting up of a Minerals Commission office in Dunkwa-on-offin to help facilitate administrative and operational activities with respect to mining.
This, he said, will give true meaning to the town which is known for mining in the Central Region and the country at large.
“We need a Minerals Commission office here. It will help in the reforms here and attend to the needs of our people”.
Nana Agyei Nkyereyeh II
The Chief also urged the Ministry to organize a workshop to educate traditional leaders on the new land Act to enhance their knowledge and help in effective land administration.
He further expressed concern about rising crime rate, especially armed robbery, in the Municipality and appealed to the Minister to liaise with his counterpart at the Interior Ministry to increase Police presence in the area.
