The National Technical Director of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Joseph Blankson Aidoo, has advised political parties to not even consider banning small-scale mining in the country.
On Wednesday, April 14, 2021 the government of Ghana organized a two-day forum to discuss the way forward for small-scale mining in the country.
Adding his voice to the discussion, Mr. Blankson is of the opinion that many license-holding members of his association have already been casualties in the government’s fight against illegal small-scale miners and, as such, a ban on small scale mining should not be entertained.
“Whether incoming or whatever, I advise no political party to think of putting a ban on small-scale mining in this nation. If I tell you [about] some of our members who have died, it will amaze you. Many of these people had their license.”
Making a case for license-holding miners, Mr. Blankson says they have contributed immensely to the total gold production in the country.
According to him, “if you have figures, and look at the quantum of gold that they [small-scale miners] have produced for this country, there shouldn’t be any government running to others asking for loans”
Mr. Blankson, while alleging that political actors have been financing illegal miners in the country, called for the non-politicization of the issue of small-scale mining in the country.
“Before you know, most of these illegal miners are being backed by politicians. Where are these people? Who is prepared to name and shame them? Go to the grounds, find out the truth and come back to report it. It shouldn’t be a politically biased issue. It is a national canker issue that we have to report rigorously and fight. Today, as I speak, are Chinese people not mining?”
At the end of the two-day forum, Mr. Blankson is optimistic about the action plans that will be put in place and measures to implement the shared opinions.
“You know in Africa we mostly talk. We don’t walk the talk. I am the action kind of person. I don’t like giving promises and later sleep over them. It all depends on what you’re going to say and how you’re going to implement it. If you remember, this kind of ban and military action has been done by government after government. And I ask myself what do they do after. We are waiting to see what will happen.”