The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has described recent calls by sections of the public for a ban of the small-scale mining sector as preposterous, insensitive and a lazy man’s approach to addressing the pollution of rivers and water bodies and the destruction of the environment as a result of illegal mining activities in the country.
According to the Association, the regulation of the small-scale mining sector should be a shared responsibility between the Government and the Association together with all other stakeholders.
These, and other sentiments were raised at a press conference in Kumasi.
The press conference by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners in Kumasi was in respect of recent discourse in the media on the pollution of rivers and water bodies and wanton destruction of the environment by illegal mining activities. According to the Association, its members share the plight of Ghanaians and also strongly oppose all forms of illegal mining.
However, a ban of small-scale mining is not the solution to the illegal mining issues in the country.
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Mr. Godwin Armah said even though the Association does not agree to calls for a total ban on all forms of small-scale mining, it is prepared to collaborate with stakeholders to minimize illegal mining in the country.
Mr. Armah described as unfair, accusations that the destruction to the environment is only caused by small scale miners.
He proposed some solutions to the Government and all stakeholders to help deal with the illegal mining menace.
