The Small Scale Miners Association has described the call for the ban on all forms of small-scale mining as a senseless call and one that lacks wisdom.
The Association averred that if we truly want to address the challenge of illegal mining, which is popularly known as galamsey, then all forms of mining activities must be the option, and that must affect the large-scale mining companies.
President of the Association Michael K. Peprah said, ‘’Some have called for a ban on small-scale mining, but I don’t see the wisdom in it in the sense that we have small-scale mining and large-scale mining. We can argue that the small-scale mining is being done by Ghanaians, while the large-scale mining is for foreigners. Since we started mining, the foreigners have imported a lot of chemicals into the country. Have we investigated how they dispose of their waste? Do they export the waste? They dispose of them here in our bodies of water. Every large-scale mine is close to a water body.’’
He made the remarks in an interview with Kwabena Agyapong on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM while discussing the raging debate on galamsey and its existential threats to the nation.
Mr. Peprah posited that if ‘’we are really serious in dealing with the matter holistically, then we have to use a different approach.” All these large-scale mining companies also cause destruction, and so if we want to deal with the problem and make sure the right thing is done, then we have to ban all of them and ensure that the right thing is done.’’
He also attributed our inability to fight the galamsey to the wisdom problem, saying that the unemployment situation has pushed several people into galamsey, especially those in areas with mineral resources.
He added that some of the illegal miners are sponsored by politicians and political leaders.
‘’Funny enough, all these people are not Ghanaians. They are Chinese. But the only thing we have failed to talk about is that people in government are the ones who are working with the Chinese. If you probe further and want to talk about these destructions we are discussing today, you will conclude that they are being caused by politicians. That is why we cannot address the challenge.’’
To him, we can avoid the banning and rather focus on enforcing our mining laws so all those behind illegal mining would be prosecuted and also ensure those licensed to engage in mining will be compliant.
By: rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
