Evg. Collins Osei Kusi
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners has embarked on a massive campaign to bring illegal miners in the country under one umbrella.
The initiative forms part of the association’s efforts to reduce illegal mining activities, manage the environment and put measures in place to address the influx of foreigners in the sector.
It is also to ensure effective policies and regulations are constantly implemented to uplift the image of the sector as well as provide sustainable development for the country.
Addressing the media in Accra, Eric Coffie Rivers, General Secretary of the Association, pointed out that his outfit had devised mechanism to implement several measures to develop the sub sector to achieve positive results to assist communities where small scale mining activities are on-going, register all illegal miners in the country.
“Small Scale mining operations undertaken by Ghanaians in its positive way offers opportunity to support rural livelihood, develop entrepreneurship, creates job, reduce rural urban drift, and reduce crime and poverty,” he added.
He noted that despite problems bedeviling the small-scale mining industry, it contributes about 23 percent of total gold produced in the country
President of the Association, Evangelist Collins Osei Kusi appealed to traditional rulers to get on board, noting that “we believe if the chiefs in the various mining communities get on board by educating the ‘galamsey’ operators to join the association, it will help a great deal.”
He emphasised that “we will also engage government, security agencies to monitor activities of the ‘galamsey’ operators and those who fail to comply with the association’s rules would be dealt with.”
By Esther Awuah
