The running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has promised that a government led by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will put an end to mining in waterbodies and forest reserves.
Dr Prempeh assured that the next NPP administration would provide environmentally friendly mining equipment that minimizes harm to the environment and river bodies.
Speaking to residents of Odotobri in the Ashanti Region during his campaign tour, he also emphasized that community mining would be promoted as part of the party’s broader efforts to support sustainable mining practices.
“The law will be that there will be no mining in river bodies and mining in forest reserves. There will be laws to regulate how mining will also be done. The government will bring a new policy that will ensure that mining communities and community mining are given the necessary equipment to ensure that the environment is not destroyed.
Many associations and unions have been calling for a ban on all forms of mining until sustainable solutions are found.
Organised Labour and other related organisations have given the government up to the end of September to curb the illegal mining menace, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Channel One TV also embarked on a campaign dubbed, ‘I Stand Against Galamsey’ on September 16 to amplify the voices of the associations and unions calling for a ban.
The utterances of some government appointees have however left many in doubt about the political will to end the menace.