The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has dismissed the idea of a ban on all small-scale mining operations, calling such calls misdirected.

Duker criticized the destruction of water bodies and the environment by illegal mining activities and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering responsible mining practices.

While acknowledging the severe impact of illegal mining, Duker emphasized that a total ban on small-scale mining would be an ineffective solution.

He highlighted that the government remains dedicated to combating illegal mining but called for collaborative efforts to address the issue effectively.

His comments follow appeals from organizations such as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and other unions, who have urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to impose an immediate ban on small-scale mining to curb environmental degradation.

Organised Labour has also warned of a nationwide strike if the government does not take decisive action against the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.

During the commissioning of the Meretweso Community Mining Scheme in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Duker announced plans to deploy river guards to protect water bodies, asserting that targeting small-scale mining as a whole would be a misplaced priority.

“It is misdirected because I was expecting them to have condemned the statement made by his excellency the former President Mahama before even calling for this action because you can’t just in a way out of the blue you just say put a ban. Ban on what.

“What are the metrics, what have you done. What analysis have you done. The statement President Mahama made was unfortunate so why didn’t they in a way ask him to apologise.”

“Secondly, yes people are destroying our waterbodies there are measures we need to take to clamp down recalcitrants who are destroying our waterbodies, and I agree with them perfectly…But I am against it.

“Personally against the call for the ban on mining generally. You can’t ban mining. Why must you ban mining,” he stated.

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