By Michael Kofi Kenetey
In order to support the government’s efforts to clamp down the activities of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey and help promote responsible mining among small-scale miners in the country, the Fanteakwa South District Assembly, together with the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, GNASSM has organised a sensitisation meeting at Osino for small scale miners in the Eastern Region.
During the sensitisation, the Association sounded a word of caution to all illegal miners who are mining in and around water bodies and destroying the bodies to desist from such activities as their operation is dragging the name of small-scale mining into disrepute. The sensitisation meeting was on the theme “Sustainable Small-Scale Mining for National Development”.
In an interview with the media, the Fanteakwa South District Chief Executive, Ernest Ofosu, hinted that the responsibility of fighting against illegal mining in the country does not lie only on the government but must be a joint effort from all stakeholders. He called on traditional leaders as the custodians of the land, the media, the religious leaders, all political party leaders, and community members to help join the fight against illegal mining activities in the country.
The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, Godwin Armah, noted that the Association is collaborating effectively with the government as well as relevant stakeholders such as the Municipal and the District Assemblies and the military to clamp down on the activities of illegal miners, especially those using chanfans to mine in and around the water bodies in the country.
He sounded a word of caution to all illegal miners hiding behind the name of small-scale mining to operate illegally and destroy the water bodies to desist from such activities as they will not spare anyone when caught.
The National Vice President of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, Sampson Kofi Wiredu, mentioned that it is against the law of the country to mine in and around water bodies. He also sounded a warning to all financiers of chanfan operators to desist from such acts, as the association, in collaboration with the government and the military, will come after anyone behind such acts.
The Apapamuhene and the Amantomiensahene of Akyem Abuakwa, Okogyeman Apagya Ofori, advised the small-scale miners to devote themselves to helping to fight against illegal mining in the country. He reiterated that the country cannot afford to import drinking water; hence, the fight against illegal mining requires a united front.
The sensitisation meeting brought together Small Scale Miners in the region to rally their support behind the government in combating the activities of illegal miners, especially those using chanfan machines to mine in and around the water bodies. It was also to educate the miners on responsible mining and also advise small-scale miners operating illegally to stop as their activities are tarnishing the image of small-scale mining.
