In a bid to tackle the menace of illegal mining, also known as galamsey, the presidential aspirant for the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG), Dr John Kpikpi has vowed to place a two-year ban on small-scale mining to streamline the mining industry.
This follows an announcement by the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) of a reduction in water supply for Cape Coast and surrounding communities, citing illegal mining as a major factor affecting water security.
Speaking on the sidelines of an acclamation ceremony in Accra, Dr Kpikpi attributed the issue to the lease of the country’s mineral resources to foreign companies.
“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.
“There are good ways of doing mining. We will train them and at the end of that period, we will reopen it [the mines] again. So we have a plan in place. But we also think that galamsey is not simply something that people are doing wrong. It is connected with the bigger issue of us giving all our mineral resources to foreigners. Having given all out, we are now trying to scrounge around for a little bit.”