The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, says he welcomes the numerous suggestions from stakeholders on how to combat illegal mining in Ghana.
According to him, his outfit has taken note of the various recommendations from the public and will factor them in addressing the menace.
Speaking in an interview with Samson Lardy Anyenini on Newsfile on Saturday, he reiterated that government has done a lot in making galamsey a thing of the past.
In this regard, he stated that over the period, a series of measures have been put in place to clamp down on illegal miners and bring their activities to a halt.
Noting the gains made, he expressed readiness to embrace all the suggestions to strengthen the fight against the canker.
“The numerous commentaries which I have followed about this aged-old menace of illegal small scale mining are all absolutely welcome. I think I need to make that point a little forcefully. They’re all absolutely welcome and the contribution and suggestions various people have made individually and collectively are all absolutely welcome”, he stressed.
He added: “A good deal of work has gone into this matter of small scale mining; and we have been dealing with this matter from a two-pronged approach. From a reformative approach and law enforcement approach. They must go hand in hand”.
He however added that, despite the illegalities within the sector, a cautious approach must be employed in addressing the the said challenges.
According to him, small scale mining constitutes 40% of the country’s local gold produce.
In view of this, he said even though illegal mining (galamsey) has unfortunately crept in the small scale mining sector, efforts to eliminate ‘galamsey’ must not affect the proceeds from the sector.
“[Let’s] always remember that small scale mining contributes 40% of Ghana’s gold output. And the gold industry gives Ghana its highest foreign exchange earning, and it’s the highest revenue mobilising sector when it comes to export”.
“So there’s a link between small scale mining, gold output, our national economy, our currency, our foreign exchange status and all of that, so when you’re dealing with small scale mining, you have to deal with it tactfully”, he cautioned.
Mr. Jinapor’s comments come at a time when public sentiments about ‘galamsey’ have resurfaced, following the arrest of notorious kingpin, Aisha Huang.
The Chinese lady, who was reportedly deported from Ghana in 2018, was rearrested in Kumasi on September 5.
Her latest arrest rekindled the conversation about illegal mining and the complicity of government officials in the act.
But reacting to these rife allegations, government has consistently debunked them, insisting that it is committed to dealing with the menace.
Meanwhile, the ‘galamsey’ queen, Aisha Huang, is currently in prison custody, after she and her accomplices were denied bail on Thursday, September 15.
They will however appear in court on September 27.
