Small-Scale Mining Policies Aimed At Improving Sustainable Economic Dev't - Abu Jinapor
Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor
Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor
Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Environment said the policies initiated by the small-scale mining (SSM) government were intended for the sector to function and contribute to sustainable economic development and nation-building.
He said although the contribution of SSM was not small, it had the potential to make a significant contribution if taken from a sustainable development framework.
According to him, the Government was not in compliance with the SSM which was implemented within the laws governing its efficiency, as this sub-sector has the potential to promote growth and promote economic transformation if properly planned.
"But the practice where the sector is riddled with illegal activities and the destruction of forest resources, wildlife, water resources, marine animals among other things should be stopped because it is dangerous to our health as a country," he said.
Mr. Jinapor said this in a speech read on his behalf during the opening of the Transformational Dialogue on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Ghana, organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Fiapre in Sunyani West Municipality in Bono. Region.
The two-day dialogue, entitled “Improving Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Facilitating the Challenges of the Arts and Mining Minerals, and Transformation of the Occupational Jobs in Ghana” was part of the university's 10th-anniversary celebrations this year.
Mr. Jinapor said an estimated one million people involved in illegal mining and related activities were suspended and removed as a result of Operation Halt II Exercise, but the Government has established Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programs (AELPs). -the economic survival of the affected people.
He explained, that AELPs provide alternative livelihoods to displaced persons and equip other people living in affected mining communities with practical skills to improve their lives.
Mr. Jinapor said that "AELP encourages the mining of green and clean mines and in line with the Minamata Conference is to purchase more than 300 Mercury-Free Goldkachas processing equipment for SSM operators."
He said the World Bank was supporting the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) which will be launched soon to coincide with the government's efforts to identify areas suitable for SSM and increase land reclamation.
On the other hand, Ms. Justina Owusu-Banahene, Bono Regional Minister said statistics show that gold is the largest source of minerals in the country and that the small Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector if managed properly has the potential to build a community. bridges, provide other livelihood opportunities for youth in mining communities during agricultural times.
"It has shown the potential to generate direct and indirect local jobs and its contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been enormous," he added.
Mad Owusu-Banahene commended academics and non-political activists for initiating the dialogue on small-scale mines and called on regulatory and legal bodies to support this dialogue to help achieve the desired results by implementing a comprehensive environmental protection program.
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