As government intensifies the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, Hon. George Mireku Duker, MP, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, has embarked on an exercise to engage communities in mining areas on the importance of responsible and sustainable exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.

This week, Hon. Duker focused his sensitization work on communities in the Western Region, where he has been engaging leaders and members of small-scale mining groups, as well as residents of communities, on the risks posed by galamsey.

Addressing gatherings in Wasa Amenfi West, the Deputy Minister rallied small-scale miners against galamsey, enjoining them to actively participate in the fight against illegal mining.

He warned the small-scale miners against undertaking mining activities in forest reserves and water bodies, highlighting the devastating impact of such activities.

He reminded the small-scale miners of their duty to the state by reporting illegal miners to the appropriate authorities for decisive action to be taken. He warned that their work could be badly affected if the government decides to ban all forms of mining.

“Let’s do everything possible to sack all illegal miners from our water bodies. Over the years, successive governments have tried to use the military to fight galamsey, but none of them succeeded. This shows that militarization of the galamsey fight won’t provide a long-term solution”, he stated.

“We are the ones who can solve the galamsey problem. The solution to the menace is not the deployment of the military. The solution lies in all of us showing commitment and willingness to protect our rivers and water bodies. It has been done in other countries, so we are the ones who can solve it. We can form community watchdogs to protect our water bodies,” he said amid applause from the residents.

At Prestea Huni Valley, the Tarkwa-Nsuaem lawmaker emphasized the need to place the interests of Ghanaians at the center of any policy or intervention in the mining sector.

According to him, God endowed the country with mineral resources for the benefit of the average Ghanaian, and the government is committed to ensuring that Ghanaians enjoy the benefits of these resources.

He further stated that government is aware of the contribution of the sector to the economy and is therefore averse to imposing a complete ban on the sector adding that government will continue to undertake measures that will reform the sector.

Barbara Oteng, the Board Chairman of the Minerals Commission and NPP Parliamentary candidate for Prestea Huni Valley reiterated the commitment of the government to the small-scale mining sector.

She outlined some of the innovations introduced by the government to sanitize the small-scale mining sector which includes the introduction of the Community Mining Scheme, decentralization of the licensing regime, among others

On Tuesday, Hon. Duker visited communities in Wassa Akropong and Wassa Amenfi Central, where he made similar statements, charging the small-scale miners to support the government’s fight against illegal mining.