The Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Manifesto Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has praised the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for his proposed reforms in the mining sector.
During the launch of the NPP’s manifesto on Sunday, August 18, in Takoradi, Dr. Bawumia introduced five key initiatives he plans to implement in the mining sector if elected president in the December polls.
In an interview on “The Point of View” on Channel One TV, the former Information Minister described Dr. Bawumia’s strategy to combat illegal mining, or “Galamsey,” as a “strong” and much-needed shift from the current approach, which has failed to produce the desired results.
Oppong Nkrumah acknowledged the significant efforts made by the current administration to tackle illegal mining but noted that the law enforcement methods used so far have not been entirely effective.
He emphasized that Dr. Bawumia’s new approach is necessary for ensuring responsible mining practices and urged Ghanaians to support him in bringing about positive change in the sector.
Oppong Nkrumah highlighted that Dr. Bawumia’s proposals include reforming the licensing regime for small-scale mining, establishing a Minerals Development Bank to finance local mineral projects and small-scale miners, and reducing the Withholding Tax (WHT) on small-scale gold exports to 1% to curb smuggling.
He stressed the importance of these measures, particularly Dr. Bawumia’s emphasis on the state conducting geological surveys and introducing proper alternatives to illegal mining.
He expressed confidence that these strategies would provide a sustainable solution to the challenges in the mining sector, calling them a “strong proposition.”
