Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has described as refreshing and welcoming the President admission that politicisation of the small scale mining sector is not the best approach to fight the menace.
This development according to the association is a vindication of their earlier position that depoliticization is the only remedy to sanitize the sector and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Touching on issues regarding illegal small scale mining during the last State of the Nation’s Address of the 7th parliament of Ghana’s 4th Republic, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo lamented, ” We, who are leaders, owe it to the country to take the subject out of the party political arena and have an honest conversation about this menace to our future”
He also underlined the employment of indecent technology in small scale mining activities that has contributed to the nation’s rapid environmental degradation and pollution.
In reaction, GNASSM believes the admission alone provides the opportunity to make amends and ensure that small scale mining is done responsibly and sustainably in Ghana.
The association which contends having learnt many lessons following the NPP government’s ban on small scale mining in their first term will not support any ban on licensed small Scale Miners but has positioned itself well to collaborate with government and provide all the needed assistance and direction to fight illegal small scale mining menace popularly known as “Galamsey”.
The association is expecting to meet the President after the swearing-in of his second term for a possible dialogue to inform his next line of action.
Such opportunity according to GNASSM has eluded them due to the machinations of some government officials with reasons best known to them.
We therefore see the President’s admonishment and posture as the reopening of a new chapter in the nation’s quest to secure responsible and sustainable small scale mining and derive the maximum benefit in the areas of revenue, employment and development.
LONG LIVE GNASSM
LONG LIVE GHANA
Signed
Godwin Armah
General Secretary
