Small-scale Miners Welcome Gov’t Decision To Lift Ban On Galamsey

The Ashanti Regional Association of the Small Scale Miners have expressed their excitement over government’s decision to lift the ban on galamsey.

The government imposed an initial six-month ban on small-scale mining activities in 2017 and the ban has since been in force as a result of several extensions.

The extension which according government is to help sanitize the sector has however incurred the wrath of the small-scale miners who have in the last few months complained bitterly, claiming the long imposition has caused untold hardships on them and their families.

President Akufo-Addo speaking at a sensitization workshop for traditional and religious leaders and stakeholders on the elimination of illegal mining in Ghana in Accra on Monday June 18, 2018 hinted that government will soon announce a comprehensive roadmap to lift the ban on small-scale mining activities.

However, Director of Research and Planning of the Association Mr. Mike Gizo in an interview on Abusua News has described government decision as good move urging government to speed up in lifting the ban on small scale mining in the country.

According to him, measures that have been put in place by government after the ban will help bring sanity into the mining sector.

”It was welcome news to us when we heard President Nana Addo himself assuring us that the ban will be lifted. That was the exact word we have been waiting for. Though it was good news and we are happy to hear that from government, we still want the government to tell us the specific date and time that the ban will be lifted”. He said

”Always what we hear is government will lift the ban on galamsey but we don’t know the exact date” he lamented.

Additionally, Mr. Gizo admitted that 600 small scale miners have so far been trained after the ban on galamsey by government.

He therefore assured that the small Scale Miners Association will ensure that lands, water bodies and environment are preserved when the ban is finally lifted.