Protecting Ghana’s River Bodies a Shared Responsibility – Deputy Lands Minister

The battle against illegal Mining requires the collective and nationalistic effort of every Ghanaian, Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of mines has said.

According to him, the battle to protect the country’s water bodies hinges on the a concerted efforts of all Ghanaians.

Delivering a speech during the inauguration of the six District Mining Committees in the Western North region on Thursday April 7, 2022, Hon. George Mireku Duker noted that government’s determination to curb illegal Mining (galamsey) would be unsuccessful if it does not get the buy-in of stakeholders.

Whiles commending the members of the six committees for agreeing to serve the country, Hon. Duker served a reminder that they have been entrusted with a difficult and delicate job which is of national importance.

He asserted that, Ghanaians especially inhabitants of the respective districts will be looking up to the them to undertake measures that will protect the waterbodies and address the peculiar challenges facing the Mining sector in those areas.

Spelling out the duties of the committees, Hon. Duker said they have a supervisory role to ensure that the responsible Mining methods spelt out in Act 703 are adhered to by Mining companies in their jurisdiction.

He charged them to rise above personal interest and show dedication, discipline and punctuality in the discharge of their duties.

He implored the committee members to ensure that at the heart of every decision they take should be in the interest of the state.

Hon. Duker who doubles as the MP for Tarkwa-Nsuaem said, the committee owe Ghanaians a responsibility to manage the Mining architecture in their respective areas whiles advancing that government ‘s Community Mining Scheme is a more sustainable and responsible gold-extractive method which should be embraced and promoted in the districts.

Hon. Duker offered that the Community Mining Scheme is the ideal way of actualizing President Akufo-Addo’s dream of building local giants in the Mining industry and the onus lie on the District Mining Committees to promote it.

The six districts in the Western North region who had members of their District Mining Committee sworn in includes Sehwi Wiawso, Bibiani, Suaman, Bodi, Juaboso and Akontombra.

The committee members welcomed the challenge handed them by the government and vowed to help stamp out illegal mining.

They promised to help the government achieve its objectives for the Mining sector which they are convinced will lead to job creation and improve livelihoods.

Source : PR UNIT MLNR