Mireku Duker rubishes Calls for ban on small-scale mining; describes it as misdirected

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in-charge of mining, George Mireku Duker, has rejected calls for a ban on all small-scale mining operations in the country, describing them as misdirected.

Several labour unions, professional bodies, civil society organisations, the media, religious bodies and individuals have issued a stern warning to the government, threatening a nationwide strike by the end of September amidst other actions if a decisive action is not taken to address the escalating galamsey (illegal mining) crisis which has rendered over 60% of the country’s water bodies contaminated.

Health professional bodies including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) have urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose an immediate ban on small-scale mining as a measure to address the rampant environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

But the deputy Minister who is in charge of the sector has rebuffed the cry and rather called on small scale miners to rise and defend their interest.

“Small scale miners, arise and speak against the ban of small-scale mining in the Country. Anyone mining in river bodies is a destroyer so let’s flush out those people and do responsible mining,” he stated.

Addressing community members and traditional leaders at Meretweso, a mining community in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region during the commissioning of Meretweso community mining, Mr George Mireku Duker maintained that the ban on illegal mining is a misplaced priority indicating that the activities have drastically reduced unemployment rate in the country.

“It is misdirected because I was expecting them to have condemned the statement made by his excellency the former President Mahama before even calling for this action because you can’t just in a way out of the blue you just say put a ban. Ban on what.

“What are the metrics, what have you done. What analysis have you done. The statement President Mahama made was unfortunate so why didn’t they in a way ask him to apologise.”

“Secondly, yes people are destroying our waterbodies there are measures we need to take to clamp down recalcitrants who are destroying our waterbodies, and I agree with them perfectly…But I am against it.

“Personally against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining,” he stated.

The deputy minister also condemned the destruction of major water bodies and the environment by activities of illegal miners, emphasising that the government will continue to promote responsible mining operations.

He maintained that the government has not relented in its commitment to ending illegal mining activities but calls for concerted efforts to help address the situation.

He also revealed that the government will soon deploy river guards to protect the river bodies.

By: Christian Kpesese