Government’s ban on small scale mining seems to be having serious effects especially on mining communities.

One of the hardest hit areas is the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency.

The Divisional Chief of Tarkwa Nsuaem Nana Kwamina Adade II, Divisional Chief of Nsuaem did not minced words when the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako- Atta paid a courtesy call on him as part of the minister’s two day working visit in the region.

The chief who was unhappy about the continuous ban on small scale mining by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) said the situation will go a long way to affect its political fortunes in 2020 when the country goes to the polls again.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Emmanuel Ohene Gyan of Empire Fm, the Nsuaem Divisional Chief expressed worry over government’s poor handling of the ban on illegal mining saying the situation has resulted in an untold hardship in the area.

“There is upsurge in social vices in our enclave because of the delays in lifting of the ban. Families are finding it hard to make ends meet, and cater for their wards amongst other things due to the ban.”



Government, in 2017 suspended artisanal and small scale mining activities in the country to enable it come out with a comprehensive structure and regulation for sustainable mining, but the government is yet to normalize activities in the sector after its intervention.