Alan Kyerematen pledges total mining shutdown for a year, if elected President

Presidential candidate for the Movement for Change, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, has pledged to impose a one-year ban on all mining activities if elected in the upcoming general election scheduled for December 7, 2024.

This measure is part of Kyerematen’s 10-point policy blueprint, designed to tackle the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining in Ghana.

By prioritizing sustainability and environmental recovery, Kyerematen seeks to restore the nation’s natural resources for future generations.

Key aspects of his plan include a complete suspension of all small-scale and community mining activities, irrespective of their legal status, as well as the demobilization of mining equipment currently in use.

Kyerematen has committed to a comprehensive restoration and regeneration of degraded land, emphasizing plantation development and tree planting in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and relevant public sector institutions.

His administration will also cancel all small-scale mining licenses issued in the past 15 years, followed by a thorough audit to ensure accountability and compliance.

In addition to these immediate actions, Kyerematen’s Great Transformational Plan includes strategic interventions to reform the natural resource sector.

This involves reviewing existing legislation, consolidating overlapping institutional mandates, and amending constitutional provisions to establish Traditional Authorities as co-trustees of mineral rights.

His vision also includes enhancing the country’s mineral processing capabilities, particularly in the Western Region, to align with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

During a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Center in Accra on September 29, 2024, Kyerematen condemned the Ghana Police Service for its treatment of the Democracy Hub Group protesters, highlighting the denial of legal counsel and basic necessities following their arrest.

While he acknowledged that some protest actions may have breached public peace, he praised the police for their crowd management.

However, he firmly criticized the judiciary’s refusal to grant bail, labeling it an abuse of judicial discretion and a violation of constitutional rights.