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Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has dismissed recent calls for a ban on small-scale mining operations, describing them as misguided.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Central Region’s Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Mr. Duker emphasized that targeting all small-scale mining activities is not the solution to the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.
“It is misdirected because you can’t just say, ‘put a ban.’
What are the metrics, what analysis have you done?” Duker remarked, responding to calls from groups like the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for immediate action.
Duker, while condemning the destruction of water bodies by illegal miners, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting responsible mining and implementing measures to address environmental degradation.
He revealed that the government plans to deploy river guards to protect the country’s vital water sources.
“People are destroying our water bodies, and there are measures we need to take to clamp down on the recalcitrants who are doing this,” he said.
However, he made it clear that banning small-scale mining outright is not an effective approach and would represent “a misplaced priority.”
His remarks come amid increasing pressure from professional bodies and organized labor, who have threatened nationwide strikes if decisive actions are not taken to curb illegal mining.
While Mr. Duker acknowledged the need for strong measures against those harming the environment, he firmly rejected the idea of a total ban on small-scale mining.
“Personally, I am against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining?” he questioned, stressing the importance of balancing environmental protection with responsible mining practices.
