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Members of the Ghana National Association Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) have made a humble appeal to the government
to allow them operate peacefully under the government’s regulatory orders without any interference.
According to the worried group, the only thing that has been their major
challenge on the field of work is how some politicians use unwarranted powers
to destruct their works.
They said most of these politicians who have no expertise in the mining work
rather turn themselves miners, hence keep on doing things that only tarnish the
image of the real miners.
“Our members under this umbrella are strictly regulated and ready to be regulated under any government measures. They will never do
things contrary to the mining regulations. There are people and other politicians
who have no expertise but only engage in these activities that attach our
reputation to the dirt”, they said.
They said this in an interview with this reporter during an end of year 2020 awards night and fundraising ceremony at the Golden Tulip Hotel to
boost the association.
Mr. Sampson Kofi Wiredu, national Vice Chairman of the association urged members to always get united in order to help achieve one course, if
indeed they wanted to succeed.
He called on people and politicians who engage in those illegalities to stop
hiding, and rather join the mainstream in order to stop tarnishing the image of legal miners.
He added that, the Small Scale Miners have some set up rules that regulate its members, and that non is permitted to do anything contrary to the mining rules. He revealed that there’s a committee which always make sure members’ lands have been reclaimed and members well protected.
Mr. Wiredu however urged politicians and people who engage in such illegalities to desist from it and rather join the mainstream through the legal process. He finally urged members of GNASSM to get united so that a common goal is achieved.
He called on the government to put its standard measures expected of small scale miners since they are ever ready to cooperate.
Mr. Frank Osei, the Ashanti chapter chairman of the association giving the
keynote address commended members for their commitment despite the covid
19 crisis. He expressed worried over how people classify illegal
mining (galamsey) and legal mining as one thing.
Explaining further, Mr. Osei said the small-scale miners are registered and are
known through the legal process, whiles the illegal miners (galamsey) are those
who do it without any legal approval and expertise. He however appealed to the
general public to desist from merging the two.
In addition, Alhaji Philip Bawa, a member of the Ashanti regional GNASSM Council of Elders also appealed to the government to executive measures that could help control the small scale mining activities to help acquire quality mining in the country.
“Kindly allow us to do it because we have what it takes. We are ready to welcome all regulatory affairs. Stop soldiers and other securities from disturbing and extorting money from us. Our task force are abled men who do it better”, he said.
Source: Nana Peprah- Kumasi
