Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the vice presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has promised that any excavators seized during the campaign against illicit mining would be returned to their rightful owners.
Speaking to the chiefs and people of Mpohor and Prestea Huni Valley in the Western Region, Dr. Opoku Prempeh also stressed that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the NPP, has no plans to outlaw small-scale mining.
This promise is in reaction to growing demands on the government to outlaw small-scale mining in order to reduce the harm that illegal mining operations do to the environment, especially to water bodies.
Dr. Opoku Prempeh reassured the mining communities that the NPP is committed to allowing small-scale miners to operate freely, provided their activities do not harm the environment or pollute water bodies.
He underscored the party’s belief in regulating the sector rather than imposing outright bans.
“When the small-scale miners mine, they are able to get money to fend for their families. Small-scale miners vote for the NDC to win about 6 seats in Wassa, but now they [the NDC] say they will shoot and kill small-scale miners. Tell them the lies are enough. We will not shoot and kill anyone.
“We will give all seized excavators to you so you can do your work peacefully. This will help everyone to get money to fend for themselves and also for the community to develop. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will not collapse small-scale mining.
What we do not like is that you put a changfan on water bodies, but anyone interested in the government’s community mining scheme will be able to mine.”
Source: Citinewsroom