The Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has secured two separate mining concessions in Akrofrom district of Ashanti Region to be used for the Community Mining Programme to replace the destructive illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Over three thousand (3,000) illegal small scale miners in the district have so far been registered onto the (CMP) project in the Akrofrom district alone.
The Community Mining Programme is aimed at formalizing mining in selected communities across the country.
Coordinator for the IMCIM programme Kwame Adusei says he is satisfied with the cooperation of the traditional leaders, the miners, the youth and government appointees in the district to make the programme a success.
“Government in 2017 recognized serious effect of irresponsible mining on the country’s vegetation cover and river bodies thereby banning illegal mining activities across the country.”
“As you know evil finds job for idle hands so government has secured at least 92 Kilometers square land seize concession at Kotopreso and Okyerekrom in Akrofrom district for the community mining programme.”
“This program will return all miners to site to mine as responsible miners under strict supervision to promote best mining practice to safe guide water bodies and other precious vegetation over there’’ he revealed.
He added “In the next two weeks we are here to issue out digital Identity Cards to those registered onto the programme which will contain names, age, date of birth and date registered among other required information. I’m highly impressed with the turn out so far before 2 pm we have issued out 120 cards, just a start of the progrommed which is very impressive’’.
Mr. Maurice Jonas Woode, District Chief executive (DCE) for the area commended government for the initiative not just to create employment for his district but making sure irresponsible mining become a thing of the past.
“Currently majority of the youth here are jobless because of government ban on illegal mining, I’m very happy with the new opportunity to return our miners to field to work as responsible miners.”
“I will like to use this opportunity to tell all my people who have already been registered to come in person for their ID cards, those who have not registered, I believe there’s another opportunity for you as well,’’ he pleaded.
The registrants commended government for the efforts to return them into business so they can also cater for their families.
“Mr. Journalist we the small scale miners are dying from hunger, therefore, we are ready to comply with whatever the government wants us to do. Once it will give us money to feed our families and help the society why not?. We will like to urge government to speed up the community mining processing to return us to site very soon because we seriously need money to pay our creditors,” Kwame Anim pleaded.
