The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has promised to prioritize and promote responsible small-scale mining practices if elected into office.
Speaking to residents in Prestea during his Western Regional tour, Mr. Mahama emphasized that small-scale mining can be conducted responsibly, as seen in other countries, without causing severe damage to lands and water bodies.
He assured the people of Prestea, a town known for its rich mining heritage, that under his leadership, small-scale mining would be encouraged in a way that protects the environment while sustaining livelihoods.
“When the name Prestea comes to mind, it is synonymous with mining. Mining provides income for many households here. The NDC will actively promote responsible small-scale mining to ensure it benefits the people without destroying our lands and water bodies,” Mr. Mahama stated.
He said the large-scale mining companies at times occupy vast areas of land, much of which remains unused.
He pledged that an NDC government would ensure that such unused lands are allocated to small-scale mining cooperatives, enabling them to operate legally and sustainably.
“It is unacceptable for a mining company to hold 60 square miles of land and leave most of it unused. Under the NDC government, we will ensure portions of these lands are allocated to small-scale mining cooperatives,” he promised.
In addition to promoting responsible mining, John Mahama outlined plans to employ the youth in land reclamation initiatives.
He proposed a government-supported program where young people would be equipped with essential tools, including tricycles, water containers, and seeds, to plant trees and crops on mined-out lands.
“Another set of youth will be employed to reclaim the lands used by miners. They will receive monthly payments from the government for their work. These young people will help restore our environment by planting trees and crops to rehabilitate the mined lands,” he explained.
John Mahama concluded by reaffirming his commitment to balance economic activities like mining with environmental sustainability, ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy and productive environment.
Listen to John Mahama in the AUDIO below 👇:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭
