The deputy minister for lands and natural resources, George Mireku Duker, has stated that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s 18-point policy document for small-scale mining is revolutionary, unprecedented, and capable of creating many millionaires in the sector.
Mr. Duker said that the policy is designed to develop small-scale mining operators into large-scale companies through deliberate government efforts to build their capacity and assist them in accessing credit facilities to do business.
He emphasized that the policy is based on two thematic areas: ushering Ghana into a golden age, where natural resources will be harnessed to ensure the country derives their maximum benefits; and Ghanaian ownership, where a new paradigm shift is expected in natural resource contracts.
The deputy minister for lands and natural resources stressed that the Vice President is fully aware of the ‘environment-friendly and profit-making small-scale mining sector’ and is fully committed to expanding the over one million jobs created by the sector presently.
“We will support the Minerals Commission and key stakeholders to formalize the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector to ensure that the activities of the entire value chain are sustainably and responsibly done so that most of the gold produced by this sector can be sold to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and be eligible to be part of the gold reserves of the central bank.”
Mireku Duker
He added that Dr. Bawumia as President will continue the decentralization agenda started by President Akufo-Addo to ensure the presence of the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency in mining districts to facilitate strict compliance with mining regulations.
Mr. Duker also touted the Community Mining Scheme initiated by President Akufo-Addo and assured that the Vice President would improve upon it and introduce a system for small-scale miners to register with the National Small Scale Miners Association.
He urged Ghanaians, especially those directly or indirectly employed in the small-scale mining sector to rally behind the NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the 2024 general elections so that he can implement his bold vision for the mining sector.
Dr. Bawumia Not Oblivious Of The Plight Of Ghanaians
The deputy lands and natural resources minister has reminded the public that the Vice President is not oblivious to the challenges confronting Ghanaians as the opposition, National Democratic Congress, claims.
According to him, the Vice President, at the launch of his campaign, showed his understanding of the challenges confronting the country by listing them one after the other and proposing his solution to them, particularly debt management, unemployment, inflation, corruption, and energy.
“To achieve this objective, a government led by the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, will create a viable link within the entire value chain of the small-scale mining sector which will enable them to sell their gold to the Bank of Ghana and be part of the gold reserves of the central bank.”
Mireku Duker
He was confident that backing the country’s currency with Gold and the gold for oil program would help to address inflation, improve the forex reserve, and enhance the country’s ability to manage its debt.
On her part, the deputy information minister, Fatimatu Abubakari, concurred with Mr. Duker’s assertions, emphasizing that Dr. Bawumia’s policy interventions have the potential to address many, if not all, of the challenges facing the country currently.
Speaking on Bawumia’s 18-point policy interventions for small-scale miners, she said that a successful implementation of the programs as highlighted by the deputy lands and natural resources minister will guarantee the growth and expansion of the sector, and create more job opportunities for Ghanaian youth.
She added that the Community Mining Scheme will also benefit many people within the various catchment communities.
READ ALSO: Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia Right About Abolishment Of The E-Levy
