The Chief Executive Officer of Mineral Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi has kicked against calls for the government to institute a ban on small scale mining.
According to him such a move will not inure to the country’s benefit.
Calls for the government to ban activities of small-scale miners have been rife in recent times.
Multiple reports have provided ample evidence to back the wanton destruction of waterbodies and forestry due to activities of the miners.
It is recalled that at the Ghana Bar Association Annual Conference held in Kumasi, Otumfour Osei Tiutu(II), the overlord of Ashanti, who doubled as the distinguished Speaker, expressed grave misgivings about the state of the Pra river, owning to activities of some galamseyers.
The Ghana Water Company Limited, Ghana Medical Association, Coalition Against Illegal Minning and a host of other organized labour groups have urged the government to place a temporary moratorium on small scale mining until such time that
However, speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Show, Mr. Ayisi noted that the challenges that have come with the operations of small-scale miners do not warrant a full-blown ban, as that could portend losses for small scale miners who have been appropriately licensed to operate.
He insisted that Ghana can address the challenges that have come with the operations f some unscrupulous galamseyer without taking the route of a wholesale ban.
According to him, such a move could render persons within mining communities jobless, apart from the telling impact it could have on economic activities.
‘‘It is not in the best interest of the 35 million Ghanaians to say that all forms of small-scale mining must be banned. I won’t support it’’, Mr. Ayisi insisted.