Hon. George Mireku Duker, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has responded firmly to recent calls for a blanket ban on all small-scale mining operations.
Describing the demands as “misguided,” he pointed out that such a measure would not be an effective solution to the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities. Hon. Duker’s comments come amid increasing pressure from various professional and civil society groups, who have expressed deep concerns about the degradation of water bodies and ecosystems.
“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?”
Hon. George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Hon. Duker argued that the solution is not as simple as halting all small-scale mining activities, pointing out the complexities involved in balancing environmental protection with economic interests.
Ghana has long grappled with the devastating effects of illegal small-scale mining. This illegal activity has led to the pollution of major rivers and the destruction of forests, sparking public outrage and demands for swift government action.
Professional bodies such as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have recently urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose an immediate ban on small-scale mining to mitigate further environmental damage.
Organized Labour has also weighed in, threatening to embark on a nationwide strike if the government fails to take decisive action against illegal miners.
Their collective concern centers on the destruction of Ghana’s natural resources, which has affected water supply and agricultural productivity in many areas.
Government’s Commitment to Responsible Mining
While expressing concern over the environmental damage, Hon. Duker reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting responsible mining practices rather than imposing an outright ban.
Hon. Duker emphasized that a collective approach is required to address the challenges posed by illegal mining, one that includes all stakeholders, from the government to local communities and miners themselves.
“We must all agree that illegal mining is bad, but it does not mean we should take such drastic steps without considering other factors,” Hon. Duker stated.
The Deputy Minister’s comments reflect the government’s stance of balancing environmental preservation with the livelihoods that depend on small-scale mining.
According to the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the small-scale mining sector contributes significantly to the national economy, providing jobs and livelihoods for thousands of Ghanaians, particularly in rural areas. Banning the sector entirely, without a well-structured alternative, could have severe economic repercussions.
Hon. Duker also revealed the government’s plans to deploy river guards to protect water bodies from further damage caused by illegal mining. These guards will be tasked with monitoring and preventing illegal activities along major rivers, where pollution has reached alarming levels.
“Yes, people are destroying our water bodies; there are measures we need to take to clamp down on recalcitrant who are destroying our water bodies, and I agree with them perfectly.”
Hon. George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
However, he maintained his position against an outright ban on small-scale mining, reiterating that responsible mining should be encouraged rather than halted.
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