The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners(GNASSM) has kicked against calls for a ban on all small-scale mining activities in the country.
Members of GNASSM have warned that they will resist any attempts by the government to do so.
There have been calls from religious leaders and some civil groups for an immediate ban on all small-scale mining activities in Ghana as part of efforts to curb illegal mining or ‘galamsey’.
These calls follow the devastating effect the menace has had and is having on the environment.
However, the General Secretary of GNASSM, Godwin Armah, said the religious leaders are insensitive in their call for the ban.
Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi, Mr Armah said their members are still struggling to recover from the losses they suffered from a 2017 ban on their trade.
He explained that a ban on their business would render over six million people jobless.
Mr Armah said the association has noted with great concern the pollution of rivers and water bodies and the destruction of the environment due to illegal mining activities in the country and was making efforts to help address the menace.
The small-scale miners said it would be unfair to ban their activities because they do not mine in forest reserves and close to water bodies.
“GNASSM believes that the regulation of the small-scale mining sector should be a shared responsibility between the government and the association together, with all other stakeholders and that recent calls by sections of the public for a ban on the small-scale mining sector is preposterous, insensitive and a lazy man’s approach to the issue,” he stated.
On ways to deal with the menace, the association proposed a ban on the importation and use of Chanfang engines, which will make it difficult to dredge water bodies.
They also proposed the formation of committees in mining communities which will consist of traditional leaders, religious leaders, representatives from the youth and small-scale miners that will work closely with District Mining Committees to manage mining-related issues in the community.