ECONOMICS

Akrofuom Assembly to monitor small scale miners
The District Chief Executive for Akrofuom District Assembly, Maurice Jonas Woode has warned that his outfit will continue to monitor the activities of small scale miners in the district.

Date Created : 1/25/2019 3:06:18 AM : Story Author : Francis Andoh/Ghanadistricts.com

He said though the ban on small scale mining has already been lifted, his outfit will still monitor the activities and operations of small scale miners to ensure that they adhere to standard practice as has been prescribed by the Ministry of Minerals and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission.

Mr. Woode made this known at a short ceremony to present certificates of training to some miners who had undergone training at the Ghana School of Mines (Tarkwa) recently. The training formed part of government’s quest to ensure that small scale miners get the right rudiments of mining and how best to deal with the environment.

He said there will be a District Mining Taskforce which will comprise Security Officers, Nananom, Assembly Staff, Representative from Presidency, Representative of the Member of Parliament (MP) and other Stakeholders. Aside this, the Assembly will also monitor the operators with the Anti-Galamsey Mining Sub Committee of the Assembly.

He also revealed that there are other gadgets like drones and ‘galamwatch’ that will be put on trucks at the sites to ensure that all miners are operating as the law expects of them.

All this are to ensure that miners no longer destroy the water bodies and warned that as the District Chief Executive (DCE), he will not sit unconcerned for anyone to destroy the environment. He again warned that he will not hesitate to withdraw the operating certificate of any operator who flouts the laws.

Hon. Woode added that all miners will be registered to ensure that they all pay the right amount to the Assembly in order for more funds to be generated.

The miners were also thankful to the government for lifting the ban adding that they will adhere to the rules and regulations that have been stated for them.