The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has dismissed calls from various religious and professional bodies for a total ban on small-scale mining as a solution to the galamsey crisis.
The Ghana Bar Association, the Ghana Medical Association, the Christian Council of Ghana, and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) have all pushed for a ban on small-scale mining in response to the recent rise in galamsey-related destruction.
However, the Small-Scale Miners’ Association contends that such a broad ban would be ineffective, as illegal miners would still continue their operations.
In an interview with Channel One News, Godwin Armah, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, stressed that while the association opposes illegal mining, a blanket ban is not the right solution.
He pointed out that all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), along with traditional leaders, are aware of the individuals responsible for polluting rivers and mining in forest reserves in their areas.
Armah urged the immediate enforcement of existing laws and the removal of illegal miners from these activities.
“Illegality is an illegality so even if you put a ban on it, there is already a ban on it, per the laws of this country. So we need to enforce the laws. You cannot say that after investing and doing the right thing and somebody is doing the wrong thing, so we should stop.
“You cannot say there should be a blanket ban. A blanket ban is not the only solution to this issue. We have done it in the past, it did not work. What are the lessons that we learn from this? And what are we going to do this time that will help us to be able to reduce this menace?
This is the critical question that we need to ask rather than ban it. Everybody can say if we cannot do it, then let’s stop it,” he stated.
