John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has announced a strategic move to decentralize mining regulatory agencies in districts under his next administration.
The objective is to enhance licensing procedures and ensure effective supervision of mining activities for effective environmental protection.
Under this proposal, he said district mining office will be established in every mining district tasked with registering all excavators and monitoring ongoing mining operations.
“Every district will have a district mining office, and in the district mining office, we will have a minerals commission officer and an environmental protection Agency officer. If you want to apply for a mining license you apply to your district office. When you are mining,they will supervise to make sure you are doing the right thing” Mahama stated.
Mahama envisions the engagement of graduates from the University of Mines and Technology, who will be employed and attached to small-scale miners.
Their role will be to provide support and guidance, fostering adherence to best practices that prioritize the protection of river bodies and forests.
“Aside from that, we will employ the graduates of university of Mining and Technology in Tarkwa. Everybody who has small scale concession and you are mining we will attach those young mining engineers to you so that they will teach you how to go about the mining in safety so that people don’t die on your mining site and you are able to mine properly without any misadventure” Mahama explained.
Furthermore, Mahama highlighted plans to employ the youth in reclamation efforts, focusing on growing trees in mined areas to restore ecological balance.
He said this when addressing miners and timber merchants at Akyem Nsutem in Fanteakwa South district to wrap up his two-day tour of the Eastern Region on Wednesday.
The miners and timber merchants pledged to support Mahama’s return to power.
They appealed for the initiation of policies that expedite the licensing regime in mining while safeguarding the small-scale mining sector, seen as the backbone of the local economy.
Osabarima Baafi Sarpong Kumankuma, chief of Akyem Nsutem, appealed to political leaders to ensure the 2024 election becomes peaceful.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
