INAUGURATION OF SIX DISTRICT MINING COMMITTEES IN THE WESTERN NORTH REGION

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. On Thursday, April 7, 2022, Hon. George Mireku Duker inaugurated six (6) district mining committees in the Western region of Ghana.

In his delivery, he stated that the country’s battle in protecting the water bodies requires the effort of each and every Ghanaian. The Government is determined to curb illegal mining and its effect on our water bodies but the government’s effort will prove futile if it doesn’t have the support of stakeholders, he added.

To the appointed members of the respective committees, Hon. Duker, served a reminder that they have been entrusted with a difficult and delicate job which is of national importance. He added that Ghanaians, will look to them to take measures to protect waterbodies and address the unique challenges confronting the mining sector in their jurisdictions. Hon. Duker outlined the committees' responsibilities, saying they have a supervisory role to ensure that the responsible mining methods outlined in Act 703 are followed by miners in their purview with dedication, discipline and punctuality.

Hon. Duker stated that the committee owes it to Ghanaians to manage the mining architecture in their respective areas, while advancing that the government's Community Mining Scheme is a more sustainable and responsible gold-extractive method that should be embraced and promoted in the districts.

Sehwi Wiawso, Bibiani, Suaman, Bodi, Juaboso, and Akontombra are among the six districts in the Western North region to have members of their District Mining Committee sworn in. They promised to assist the government in meeting its mining sector objectives, which they believe will result in job creation and improved living conditions.