Correspondence from Eastern Region

Small-scale miners in the Eastern Region will in the coming weeks undergo regular training in their field of operations as part of efforts to sanitize the mining space and address the topical issue of illegal mining.

The essence of the training programme which will among other things sensitise the miners on responsible mining, is expected to see participants being trained on mining without causing harm to water bodies, various safety measures and how the land can be reclaimed after mining among other topics.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awaitey made the announcement on Friday, March 14, 2025, while engaging small-scale miners in selected communities in the Eastern Region, as part of efforts to address the rising illegal activity in the region.

The engagement targeted miners from various zones in the enclave including Akwatia, Kade, Akyem, New Abirem and Anyinam zones.

The exercise offered the Minister the opportunity to interact with and solicit the views and concerns of the miners as part of efforts to address the illegal mining canker.

The forum provided the miners with the opportunity to express their grievances bordering on interferences by higher authorities in the operations of task forces assigned to arrest illegal miners, delay in the signing and renewal of certificates for mining concessions, decentralization of task forces to include Assembly members, amongst others.

The minister, while acknowledging the contributions made by small-scale miners to national development, urged the miners to engage in responsible mining in line with President John Mahama's vision of sanitizing the mining space.

She expressed frustration with the act, citing extensive land, water and forest destruction and promised periodic training sessions for miners to prepare them adequately for responsible mining.

The minister while expressing her personal disdain for the illegal activity reminded the miners of President Mahama's personal commitment ahead of the 2024 elections to fight galamsey.

She said, "President Mahama's major vision ahead of the elections is to sanitize the mining space, protect the forest cover... I'm not happy with what's going on, mining pits are left uncovered posing significant risks to children."

Hon Awaitey assured the miners of government support to renew and acquire their licenses expeditiously.

According to her, her vision is not to destroy their respective businesses but rather to ensure that the water bodies are clean and the environment, clear of all pollution.

Vice-chair of the Eastern Regional Small Scale Miners Association, Wonder Yao Dovlo described the meeting as successful and expressed optimism that their request for authorities to streamline the operations of the task force and licensing of their operations would be met.

Dovlo expressed satisfaction with assurances given by the minister, adding that such collaborations were necessary to ensure that the fight against illegal mining succeeds.

He urged the task force to educate the miners before embarking on their operations.

Patrick Pinamang Amoako, District Director of the Minerals Commission and District Officer of the Precious Mineral Marketing Company, PMMC explained the processes of acquiring and renewing mining operation licenses and advised them to renew them ahead of their due time to ensure an expeditious process to avoid unnecessary delays and disappointments.

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