Local miners weep over bureaucracy

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gadriator Gold Limited, a local mining company based at Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Upper West Constituency of the Central Region, has expressed concern over the high rate of bureaucracy in the mining sector.

According to Victor Gadri, more attention needs to be paid to local miners for them to succeed and help reduce unemployment in the country.

Mr Gadri expressed the concern at Dunkwa-On-Offin while presenting wheelchairs to 30 physically-challenged people in the area.

He also donated a cloth, a bag of rice and GH¢50 to 130 needy widows in the area.

The activity, initiated by the CEO about eight years ago, forms part of his social responsibility to needy people in the catchment area.

Mr. Gadri underscored the need for stakeholders in the mining sector to come together to protect the environment and operate under the laws governing the use of the lands.

“I want to appeal to our security agencies to help protect some of us who are doing legitimate business and also to empower those of us who are working with foreign nationals to employ them since they have what we call the “technical-know-how,” he added.

The CEO accused the media of cooperating with foreign mining firms, a situation which he said had compelled the media to report negatively on the activities of the local firms.

“We, the local miners, always find it difficult in accessing loans and grant and the banks should take a second look at it since such actions would be discouraging to the growth of local firms to do business,” he said.

The Central Regional Director of the Minerals Commission, Nelson Ahendo advised local miners to get license to operate since the commission has established about nine centers in the country where they can go for their licenses.

He stated that the local mining is helping to reduce the high rate of unemployment situation in the area as well as boost the economy.

Some gospel musicians were invited to entertain the people with songs amidst dancing to glorify the Lord for His blessings.