Nii Osah Mills grumbles about illegal mining

Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, is worried about the damage caused to the environment by illegal mining operators and urged those involved in such operations to help protect the land for future generations.

The minister made the plea during a three-day field trip to Gwira Kutukrom, Wiawso and Banso in the Western Region to gain first-hand information on the extent of damage caused by illegal miners.

Nii Osah Mills bemoaned the hazardous use of mercury by the illegal miners and how the open pits left at these sites have become death-traps, a statement from the ministry signed by Ms. Victoria Antwi Sarpong, the Head of Public Relations, said.

The minister addressed over 50 people found at the sites whom had come from various parts of the country to engage in illegal mining, and advised them to be mindful of their activities as their effects are harmful to this generation and generations unborn.

He further urged them to go through the process to acquire a licence if they want to mine, since mining can be done legally -- saying that small-scale mining is the preserve of only Ghanaians so they can form co-operatives and go to the Minerals Commission to legitimise their activities. 

He advised them to take advantage of the Alternative Livelihood Programmes rolled out by government, where lands and palm-seedlings are offered to people prepared to go into farming, urging them to avail themselves to be trained for snail or grass-cutter rearing which could earn them a decent living. 

The minister however cautioned the illegal mining operators found on the sites to desist from their illegal activities so as to avoid being arrested next time he calls, while sensitising the people at Gwira Banso -- a mining community -- on the associated dangers of their activities and the need to regularise their activities by going through the right procedures. “Mining is legal, but should be done according to the dictates of the law,” he stressed.

The Omanhene of the area, Awulae AngamaTu-Agyan II, expressed his appreciation to the minister and expressed willingness to assist him in addressing the illegal mining menace in his jurisdiction.