5 million Ghanaians could suffer if small-scale mining is banned - Deputy Lands Minister

George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has warned of dire and devastating consequences should the government implement a sweeping ban on small-scale mining activities in the country.

Addressing a gathering of miners at Manso Amenfi in the Wassa Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, Honorable Mireku Duker minced no words in declaring his complete abhorrence for all forms of illegal mining in the country.

He, however, opined that a holistic ban on all forms of small-scale mining activities in the country is not the panacea to the galamsey menace.

Reacting to calls for the government to place a ban on small-scale mining in the country, Honorable Mireku Duker drew the attention of the proponents of such calls to the untoward hardships a total ban would create in the country, particularly in mining areas.

He surmised that with the sector currently employing over one million Ghanaians, a ban would invariably spike the unemployment rate in the country by one more million persons. Putting figures to help contextualize the situation, Honorable Duker said that if each of the one million employees in the small-scale mining sector has four dependents, five million Ghanaians could be in trouble if the government heeds calls for a total ban.

Instead of a total ban, Honorable Mireku Duker is advocating that each situation be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, with stakeholder engagement at the crux of it.

While welcoming military intervention in the fight, Honorable Mireku Duker said that it will not address the problem in the long term as the military officers will not be stationed at the sites indefinitely.

Instead, he proposes meetings between the government and leaders and residents of mining communities to appeal to their conscience and get their support in the fight against illegal mining.

“As I speak, small-scale mining directly employs one million Ghanaians. All the big mining companies employ less than 10,000 Ghanaians. Ghanaians in the small-scale sector on average have four dependents. When you sum it up, you will realize that the sector alone is supporting over 5 million Ghanaians. Are we saying we should deny the 5 million Ghanaians of their livelihoods?” he quizzed.

Honorable Mireku Duker, who is the coordinator of the Bawumia 2024 campaign in the mining communities, reminded the miners of the commitment he has shown in protecting their livelihoods.

He urged them to show appreciation and dedication to their jobs by voting massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 elections, explaining that Dr. Bawumia has incredible policies for the sector.

Hon. Mireku Duker charged the miners to punish political parties who are advocating a total ban on their activities, as their arrival in government could spark the end of the small-scale mining sector in Ghana.

The MP for the area, Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, disagreed with calls for a ban on illegal mining and affirmed his commitment to protecting the jobs of the people.