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An aspiring National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate for Obuasi West, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, has advised the government to ban only small scale mining operations along water bodies instead of a total ban on small scale mining.
“I think banning the entire galamsey operations is really not the best. The ban should only apply to small scale mining that operates in water bodies.
“Rather, the government should ensure the strict enforcement of Minerals Commission laws in the country without politics to help solve the problem,” she stressed.
According to Madam Kannin, even though the move could save Ghana from destruction, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources acted at the wrong time whilst his approach too was problematic.
She therefore urged government to ensure that all small scale miners (Galamseyers) register with the appropriate authorities and also apply the mining laws and policies of the Minerals Commission.
She lamented that the cost of treating a gallon of water from the Densu River now was five times the cost of treating a gallon of water due to the disturbing trend of illegal mining in our water bodies.
According to her, the NPP government needed to create more job opportunities for Ghanaians, particularly those involved in illegal mining activities, by establishing the Ghana Pit Filling Company Limited (GPFCL).
She said with the establishment of GPFCL, small scale miners would be required to deposit huge monies in a designated account as a guarantee that they (small scale miners) would take steps to restore all destroyed lands after their mining operations.
She explained that the deposits would be refunded after the miners had met all the necessary requirements.
- Madam Kannin pointed out that the GPFCL will also ensure that all lands destroyed by small scale mining (Galamsey) operators are reclaimed through the planting of trees like mahogany and other edible and medicinal plants to preserve the environment.
