The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini has reiterated government’s commitment to bringing sanity into the country’s mining sector by taking punitive measures against illegal miners.
He was speaking in relation to President John Mahama’s directive to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take the necessary steps to stop all illegal mining activities in their areas of juridiction.
President Mahama directed MMDAs to ensure that all illegal miners are apprehended and the necessary punishment meted out to them.
Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, in an interview with Radio Gold, said the President’s directive is a benchmark to assess the performance of the MMDAs in curtailing the situation in Ghana.
He called on the mining regulators, district assemblies and security agencies to be proactive in dealing with the menace in order to enhance the socio-economic development of the nation.
He advised them to create a conducive atmosphere to rid the mining sector of illegal activities so as to “reduce the cost of stopping the illegal mining. Being reactive, exacerbates the cost of putting an end to illegal mining.”
He also explained the President’s directive, stating that “it’s one such important directive that has never been given in this country, that is presently given and the President is right on track. And I think, we should always support the directive to be able to succeed.”
“The mine itself, actually, is going to contribute not only to the taxes and royalties of this State, it also going to generate employment for the people.” he concluded.