THERE is growing uneasiness among hundreds of galamseyers in the country over ‘delays’ by government to implement the five-year Multilateral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP), an alternative livelihood programme for illegal miners.
According to the galamseyers (illegal miners), although the six-month moratorium placed on their activities has elapsed, government was yet to lift the ban on their activities.
The affected galamseyers, Today gathered, have expressed reservations about the ban, which is in its seventh month, without the government putting up measures to implement the alternative livelihood programme.
This worrying situation, the learnt, has compelled illegal miners in Ashanti, Central, Western, and Brong Ahafo Regions to threaten to hit the streets at the end of this month if the temporary ban placed on their activities is not immediately lifted.
Confirming the protest date to Today, Secretary of the Association of Small Scale Miners in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Kwabena Boakye, said the demonstration will be carried out as a last resort that will force government to lift the ban on illegal mining activities.
“…it is not that we are impatient, but the government placed a six-month ban on our activities which has elapsed so we need to know why they are not allowing us to go back to work?” he asked.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently assured galamseyers that his administration was in the process of identifying alternative sources of livelihood for persons affected by the clampdown on illegal mining activities across the country.
According to President Akufo-Addo, a cabinet committee has been established headed by the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, to see to the implementation of the MMIP.
The committee, he added, will also implement government’s strategy on combating the illegal mining menace.
According to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, the project will cost at least GHC500 million.
Story: Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu
