Stakeholder Engagement on the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) Continues

On May 26, 2022, the indigenes of Tarkwa and Prestea Huni Valley, towns popularly known for gold mining in the country, were engaged to be educated on the project's deliverables in their districts as well as gather their opinions on how best to eradicate this social canker "galamsey" known to be destroying vast lands all over the country.

Dr. John K. Krugu, the National Project Coordinator of the GLRSSMP, mentioned that the licensing process will be further simplified to grant every small-scale miner the opportunity to transition to legal mining and be under the purview of the regulatory institutions to guide them to the right thing and reap the benefits that come with it as well.

He went on to say that the Ministry's efforts in line with geological investigations will not only help in allocating mineable areas and providing adequate information on concessions granted to small-scale miners through the Minerals Commission, but will also encourage the banking sector to invest heftily in the small-scale mining industry, reducing the illegal intrusion of foreigners.

Mr. Nelson Ahedor, the GLRSSMP Mining Specialist, emphasized the importance of registering and tracking earth moving and mining equipment used in mineral operations in order to ensure that the earth moving and mining equipment is only used in the specific mineral right area for which it was registered, in his presentation on regulation sensitization. Its implementation will aid in the purging of the country's Artisanal Small-Scale Mining industry.

The Honourable Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency, Hon. George Mireku Duker, in his speech stated that

the GLRSSMP has been strategically designed to reduce deforestation practices and improve agriculture management in the country.

He added that, a number of polices had been adopted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) including the Small-Scale Mining Award Scheme and the revamped Community Mining Scheme to promote sustainable small-scale mining.

"It is refreshing to state that 100 gold catchers have been procured and will be commissioned on June 6, 2022, at Independence Square, Accra by H.E. the President of the Republic," he summed it all up.