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The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM commends the government for the assurance of lifting the ban on the small scale mining.
Initially, the government placed a six month ban on small scale mining in 2017; however a notice was served to the public concerning government’s intention to lift the ban on illegal mining “galamsey” during a workshop organized by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs on illegal mining.
However, in a statement released by the GNASSM on Monday 25 June 2018, it stated “we are commending the government for the assurance of lifting the ban on small-scale mining to enable legitimate members to go back to work in an improved system aimed at sustaining the environtment”.
According to small scale miners, the embargo which was placed on the small scale mining activities has caused them hardships and difficulties since it was their source of survival. They are therefore grateful for government’s assurance to lift the embargo and hope it will become a “savior bell” to end their problem.“In as much as the association’s faith in government is unflinching, we are expecting that the timely assurance will become a savior bell to end the myriad of problems that has engulfed small scale miners”.
Moreover, considering the plans of government to support small scale mining to protect the environment, the association is confidence in the decision to lift the ban soon. “The association, after careful study of government adherence to its roadmap to mitigate and support the small scale mining to protect the environment, is convinced of a remarkable success which informed the decision to lift the ban soon”.
The GNASSM has also assured the public of illegal free work since the small scale miners are currently undergoing training to improve their work in a manner which will not degrade the environment. “Now that the members of small scale mining are seriously undergoing training organized by government to equip members with needed skills to go about their work, GNASSM can assure Ghanaians that tone is set for legitimate small scale miners to resume business in a manner which will improve the ecomomy without degrading or environment”.
“On the assumption of office by the NPP last year, a ban on small-scale mining was necessited due to the extent of environmental degradation. The lift of the ban suffered several extentions of time because the government’s expectations on the way forward to change the status quo were not met”.
STORY BY: Patience Obosu/pinkfmonlinegh.com
