Ghana's minerals must benefit everyone, not just a few - John Mahama

Former President John Mahama has said as the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and "incoming president of the Republic, I am deeply committed to working with all stakeholders to chart a new vision for our country's mining industry".

To this end, "We must ensure that Ghana's natural resources are managed to benefit all our people, not just a few," the flagbearer of the NDC said when he addressed the '3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining' organised by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani on Wednesday, May 15.

Mr Mahama said, "The small-scale mining sector plays a significant role in our economy — providing livelihoods for thousands of our people and contributing to the development of our nation.

"It has been both a bedrock of livelihood for many and a source of considerable environmental and safety concerns, as well as concerns about illegal mining activities."

He added: "We must also prioritise preserving our environment and protecting our natural resources for future generations. This means taking bold steps to rehabilitate and restore areas affected by illegal mining and investing in renewable energy sources to reduce our reliance on traditional mining practices."