Presidential hopeful Dr. John Kpikpi of the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG) has pledged to impose a two-year moratorium on small-scale mining to curb the illicit practice of galamsey and reform the mining sector.
This vow comes in response to Ghana Water Limited’s (GWL) recent announcement of reduced water supply to Cape Coast and surrounding areas, citing galamsey as a significant threat to water security.
Dr. Kpikpi, speaking at an acclamation ceremony in Accra, blamed the problem on the government’s leasing of Ghana’s mineral resources to foreign companies, which he believes has exacerbated the issue.
By halting small-scale mining temporarily, Dr. Kpikpi aims to revamp the industry and address the environmental and social challenges posed by galamsey.
Dr. John Kpikpi stated that his government would implement a plan to train small-scale miners in proper mining techniques, with the goal of reopening the mines after a temporary closure. He also emphasized that the issue of galamsey was not solely the result of individuals engaging in illegal activities, but rather a symptom of a larger problem – the country’s reliance on foreign companies for mineral extraction, which has left locals with limited access to resources.
“What we will do is we will ban small-scale mining for two years. During this time, we will identify key people who should participate in this trade and local people who should have access to the gold.
“We will train them on good mining techniques and also how to mine in ways that don’t ruin the environment.
Baina Multimedia/Khadijahtu Kubura Kailani.
Leave a Reply