The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) is demanding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led the administration to prove it is not against their activities as claimed by some critics

In a statement released by the association at the weekend and copied to MyNewsGH.com, the GNASSM argued that, since the government has achieved it target success in fighting illegal mining; it’s about time to lift the ban imposed on their activities as well restore their revoked licenses

“Describing the 75% success rate as indicated in a recent publication by the government’s anti-illegal mining taskforce “Operation Vanguard” as welcoming and timely, lifting the ban to allow licensed small-scale miners back to work will close the chapter on critics propagating rumours that NPP government is against small-scale mining”. The statement said.

According to GNASSM, Minister for Lands and Natural Resource, Mr. John Peter Amawu at a meeting with its leadership in September 2017 promised: “We’ve only been able to achieve 15% of the set target and the ban can only be lifted if we are able to achieve 55-65% of the set target”

Just last week, Operation Vanguard (OV) disclosed that its operation has been successful by arresting 1,129 illegal miners and destroyed 7,000 mining equipment’s and went further scoring itself at 75% successful.

However, the association is arguing that since OV’s record confirmed government has achieved more than it targeted percentage and therefore there is the need to lift the ban on their activities as a matter of urgency.

“Members of GNASSM have paid dearly due to the effects of the over one year ban and as such, the time is due. The promise needs no extension”. The statement demanded.

GNASSM also indicated that the association is willing to roll out modalities aim at strengthening surveillance and supervision to totally achieve the government’s target.

Background of small-scale mining in Ghana

Early in the year 2017, the president revoked the licenses of all small-scale miners and further placed a ban on them, stating that, their activities were destroying water bodies and other resources.

The step was also a way to reclaim all damaged water bodies and forest around the mining areas.

The government has said it will need millions of cedis to dredge water bodies and reclaim forest reserves and lands.

In order for the government to enforce the ban, Operation Vanguard (OV) a taskforce which consists officers of Ghana Police Service and the military, was formed by the current government to fight illegal miners to bring sanity into the mining sector.

So far, OV says it has achieved 75% success in its operations throughout the country.

Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners also instituted a task force to help the fight against illegal miners. The association has also said it has achieved tremendously in its fight against the recalcitrant illegal miners.