Ban On Small Scale Mining lifted but Not On Galamsey – Nana Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated that the ban on illegal mining popularly called galamsey has not been lifted and will not be lifted.

According to him, the ban on small scale mining rather has been lifted adding that, same practice won’t be adhere to galamsey.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng said on Friday, December 14, 2018, that the two-year ban is being lifted because an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining has successfully developed a comprehensive policy framework to regularise small-scale mining across the country.

He, however, stressed that only small-scale miners that have had mining concessions validated will be allowed to mine in designated areas.

Some critics following the development say the government has lost the will to continue the fight against illegal mining.

But Mr. Akufo-Addo while presenting the third State of the Nation Address at Parliament on Thursday, February 21, 2019 said: ”The ban on small-scale mining was never intended to be permanent; It was to enable government fashion a policy to sanitize the sector and ensure that in future small-scale mining which is been with us for centuries will not damage our environment.”

”The ban on small scale mining has now been lifted, but not on galamsey. Some of our water bodies have shown remarkable signs of rejuvenation. River Ankobra, for example, looks restored to life; indeed, some fish have even been seen in the Ankobra for the first time in a long while. But the battle against galamsey is nowhere near being won yet, and I appeal to all citizens to be part of the battle to keep our lands and water bodies safe.”.