The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has stated that he will require any of his appointees involved in mining activities to resign if he is elected president in the upcoming December elections.

The former President emphasized that his appointees will need to focus solely on their primary responsibilities of national development.

During his speech at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Mahama affirmed that none of his appointees would participate in illegal mining, known as galamsey.

Mahama also committed to establishing a sustainable mining scheme in all mining communities, which would be distinct from the current community mining scheme.

This new initiative would deeply involve traditional leadership in the licensing process to ensure proper regulation of mining activities, should he be elected president.

“It will differ in all forms from the existing community mining scheme, which has undeniably become a conduit for enriching party chairmen, DCEs and other politically connected individuals.

“Indeed, in my government, if you are a minister, a DCE or an official and you undertake mining activity, I will ask you to resign and go and do the mining. You either choose to be a public official or choose to be a businessperson running a mine.”