Don't punish legal miners, says Minerals Commission boss

Accra, Ghana -  October 7, 2024 - Martin Ayisi, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission has cautioned against a total ban on small-scale mining in Ghana, arguing that it would unfairly harm legal operators in the sector. 

Appearing before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on October 6, 2024 Ayisi emphasized the need to target illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, instead of penalizing all miners.

“When you say ban small-scale mining, in my understanding, it means that don’t allow anybody to do it lawfully. I understand the situation and the anger of Ghanaians but the people who have sunk a borehole will be punished because folks along the Pra, Birim, and co are misbehaving,'' he stated.

“These are the issues that we are facing and so I advised the government and told my minister that it will not be proper to have a wholesale ban,'' he added.

Source: Lead News Online