The Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, has called for a critical look at the nation’s mining sector.
Speaking in a discussion, he said that his call is based on the fact that the sector contributes greatly to the economy of the country as well as employment.
“Mining generally in this country, about half of our foreign direct investments comes from the mining sector. So, it’s very critical that we look at it. It also generally generates about one-third of all export revenues that we get as a nation. Again, it is also the largest tax paying sector in the economy. This makes it a very critical sector in our economy because it also makes a significant contribution to the GDP and employment as a whole.”
Mohammed Sowah
Touching on the just ended National Dialogue, he lauded the initiative and indicated that the number of stakeholders present at the dialogue was impressive. He said it showed there is renewed energy to fight this issue once and for all.
“We’re happy with this kind of start. I think that this is a very important step that the President and the government has taken. I think that probably we underestimated the resilience from power players; the resilience of the President in his quest to fight to claim our lands and make sure that we have a different way of mining in our land.”
Mohammed Sowah
Challenges delayed ‘galamsey’ fight
He was however of the view that, the delay in the fight can be attributed to some challenges they were faced with. He averred that some of the issues that related to illegal mining had an impact on livelihood and the environment and that is what the government is seeking to resolve.
“In the cause of doing the mining where we have two main areas, unfortunately the small-scale mining has largely been abused through the illegal way of mining and that is where the challenge is.
“It becomes extremely important to resolve this matter in a way that will save our environment. We can also mine in a very safe way because health and safety is very key.”
Mohammed Sowah
Mr. Adjei Sowah further stated that the resilience and the desire to win this battle by the President is commendable and one that the nation should support.
He said the fact that the President has broadened the conversation means that, “it’s not a partisan but national project, in fact all of us agree to that.”
There is a renewed vigor in ‘galamsey’ fight
Also speaking, Professor Ransford Gyampo said he is certain there is a renewed vigor in fighting ‘galamsey’ this time around.
Commenting on if the fight will take a nose dive at the later stages like it has been in the former cases, he intimated that he was hopeful this particular move by the new minister would last.
“I have a feeling that this particular move will not be stampeded;by the quest to win another election and the threat that may come from people who may be affected. I want to believe that, the initial move to deal with this menace was curtailed;by the many threats that some people issued against the government.”
Ransford Gyampo
He said he believes the President’s policy interventions, prescriptions and implementations will now be geared towards leaving a certain legacy for Ghana.
