Mr Michael Adu Gyamfi, Secretary of the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Small Scale Miners Association, says the government’s decision to revoke all licenses awarded to small-scale miners after December 7, 2024, is troubling.
He expressed concern because people who acquired the licenses had to go through rigorous processes before they were granted.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, he said members who were granted these licences had to do several follow-ups until they were granted.
“As small-scale miners, we have consistently applied for and followed up on our licences. So, for someone to go through the processes and be granted licences, only to have them withdrawn, is troubling and disappointing. The licence granted to us is the legal document that permits us to mine lawfully, but it is not an easy road to be granted one. If there are about 100 small-scale miners, those with licences will be fewer than 100. As a country fighting against illegal mining, we have a responsibility to make the licensing regime for small-scale miners flexible.”
He said the current government has given assurance that it will grant them licences so they will be permitted to engage in lawful small-scale mining.
He also admonished the government to ensure that the process for licensing is not rigged but made transparent so those who deserve it will be granted.
Michael Adu Gyamfi asserted that if the reasons given for the revocation of the licence are justifiable, then it was not unfortunate, but “my opinion is that the best approach was to invite those involved, rectify the process, and grant new licences.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
