<\/p>\n
The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has called for a more measured approach to fitting illegal mining after calls for bans on all surface mining.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s General Secretary, Godwin Armah, said the ban \u201cis not going to work, and it is not going to bring the solutions that we want.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has been among the latest critics to demand an immediate ban on all forms of small-scale and surface mining in the country as part of efforts to curb mining activities destroying the environment.<\/p>\n
But Mr. Armah said his group was engaging the government on solutions to the illegal mining problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot get the results in a day. It is a work in progress and there are so many interventions that government has put in place, and we are also working closely to ensure that we get our river bodies back.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also urged people calling for a ban on all mining to be mindful of the jobs at stake.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is employing over one million people who also have dependents. Yes, we appreciate that there are challenges, but there should be a balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
The government tried a ban on small-scale mining in May 2017 and this had limited effects on the environment.<\/p>\n
The ban on small-scale mining was lifted in May 2018.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n