‘Stop mining in water bodies, forest reserves instead of complete ban’
The Executive Director of the Centre for Extractives and Development, Ghana, Mr Samuel Bekoe, has emphasised the need to halt mining activities in water bodies and forest reserves, rather than a complete ban on all mining.
He also said the call for a declaration of state of emergency on all forms of mining was not the ideal solution to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, because some small-scale miners were operating legally and responsibly.
Mr Bekoe was speaking at a dissemination workshop on the 2021/2022 Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHETTI) Reports, at New Abirem, in the Eastern Region, on Thursday.
It was to educate stakeholders on insights from the latest GHETTI findings that focused on the mining, oil, and gas sectors, along with the 2020 Artisanal and Small- Scale Mining (ASM) Report.
The event also aimed to foster dialogue, gather feedback, and explore recommendations on the reports, which were critical to ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance within Ghana’s extractive industries.
Mr Bekoe expressed worry about the inefficiency of the government’s existing measures, which had repeatedly failed to resolve issues in the mining sector.
“The government has tried before, with committees and operations like ‘Operation Halt’ and ‘Operation Vanguard,’ but these efforts have always circled back to the same problems. Many of those expected to fight illegal mining have vested interests in the sector,” he said.
Mr Bekoe stressed that stopping all mining would harm legal and responsible small-scale miners, many of whom provide significant employment in the country.
He called for the integration of transparency mechanisms in small-scale mining, similar to those outlined by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Mr Bekoe said that would involve publicising the production numbers, tax payments, and legal status of small-scale miners to enhance accountability.
He cited Tanzania as a model for reforming the small-scale mining sector, noting “in Tanzania, processing centres have been established where small-scale miners process their gold, with taxes collected at these facilities.”
Mr Bekoe suggested Ghana could adopt a similar approach to ensure miners’ operations were responsible and their contributions to the economy were accounted for.
On recommendation concerning child labour in the ASM report, Mr Bekoe called for urgent measures to address the exposure of children to mining hazards, which continued to “pull many out of school.”
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, in a speech read on his behalf, highlighted the significant role of the extractive sector in Ghana’s economy.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and proper management of revenues from the mining and oil sectors.
Mr Acheampong mentioned the government’s logistical support to the Office of the Registrar of Companies in establishing a Beneficial Ownership register, which has reduced corruption in the award of licenses and ensured greater accountability.
“The government remains dedicated to creating a transparent and accountable extractive sector, ensuring long-term benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.
FROM AMA TEKYIWAA
AMPADU AGYEMAN, NEW
ABIREM
