The Concerned Small Scale Miners Union of Ghana (CSSMUG) in the Ashanti Region are set to demonstrate on 26th June, 2018, to protest the continuous ban on mining activities in the country.
The government announced a six-month ban on illegal and small-scale mining earlier last year, with the intention to sanitize the system, a situation that is yet to be addressed.
But in a press release announcing the union’s intention to embark on the demonstration, President of the Association Kwadwo Peprah said the protest is to remind government of the plights of small scale miners in the country since the ban and to demand for alternative source of livelihood till the ban is lifted.
Below is the full press release from the Concerned Small Scale Miners
Ku me preko demonstration
The Concerned Small Scale Miners Union of Ghana (CSSMUG) wishes to serve notice of an intended demonstration on 26th June, 2018 in Kumasi, Ashanti region.
Our decision follows the expiration of a 2-week ultimatum for the government to publish its roadmap towards the lifting of the ban on our business, which is small scale mining.
We are baffled by the government's blatant disregard for the concerns of Small Scale Miners in the past one year, who have been rendered jobless.
We hereby wish to invite all affected Small Scale Miners, beneficiaries of our activities and all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us in making a case for our legitimate business.
Kwadwo Peprah
(President)