National Dialogue On Small Scale Mining Launched
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has launched a National Dialogue on small scale mining to properly regulate the sector.
This two-day dialogue currently being held at the Accra International Conference Centre is aimed at finding solutions and environmentally friendly ways to mine and protect our lands for future generations.
The program is held under the theme “Sustainable small scale mining for national development.” It has drawn stakeholders from the mining sector and from across the political divide, diplomatic corps and chiefs and other members of the society as well.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch of the program, Minister for Lands and Natural resources, Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor, was elated that his ministry has now gotten the opportunity to heed the presidents directive to organize a forum to address the age-old problem of illegal mining.
He indicated that such non-partisan broad-based dialogue will be replicated in all regions of Ghana. The Minister recognized the 2018 attempts by the government to tackle this issue head-on but it appears that more measures need to be taken into consideration.
The minister promised to implement all measures put out at this forum in all honesty .
Also, the Managing director of Anglo Gold Ashanti Mr Eric Asuobonteng speaking at the program said he was pleased the president of Ghana has offered to play a role in the fight against illegal mining and help Ghana gain what is due them in the extractive industry because the mining sector is a major contributor to the economy.
To Climax the occasion, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo reminded all participants that his views on the matter of illegal mining are known and has not changed.
He said mining can create jobs, improve livelihoods but cannot be done at the expense of the environment.’’
He spoke about the danger mining poses when it’s done wrongly and told Ghanaians how important it is to rejuvenate our country’s lands. He concluded by saying, “we do not need foreigners to campaign for our country’s land protection, we the Ghanaian people must be the best protectors of our land.”
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
