Ashanti Small-Scale Miners Appeal to Government for Mining Concession Access

Ashanti Small-Scale Miners Appeal to Government for Mining Concession Access

Story by: Isaac Ochem

A group of responsible small-scale miners operating in the Ashanti Region are appealing to President John Dramani Mahama, through the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to urgently support their access to concession blocks for mining operations.

According to the spokesperson for the group, Mr. Felix Yaw Andam, the lack of available concessions is severely affecting their ability to operate and sustain livelihoods. He revealed that mining site searches conducted at the Minerals Commission often show most lands earmarked for large-scale mining leases held by multinational companies or individuals who are unwilling to release portions of their concessions for small-scale operations.

“This is making it increasingly difficult for small-scale miners to survive. Many of our youth who depend on these activities for income and to support their families remain idle,” Mr. Andam stated.

He emphasized that responsible small-scale mining has employed over three million Ghanaians in both direct and indirect jobs. He further pointed out that these activities also contribute significantly to local development, as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) benefit from taxes and levies paid by the miners.

Mr. Andam also raised concerns over frequent harassment by some national security operatives and police officers at mining sites, which he described as demoralizing and counterproductive.

Despite the challenges, Mr. Felix Yaw Andam pledged the group’s commitment to supporting the government’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey), adding that their operations are conducted in accordance with the law and aim to promote sustainable development within mining communities.

Speaking to the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, Mr. Adu Gyamfi, on the concerns raised by the small-scale mining group, Mr. Adu Gyamfi threw his weight behind their frustrations and said that, as the Association’s Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, he supports the call on the government to do all it could to make available small-scale mining concession block-outs for responsible mining to create more employment opportunities for the youth within the mining enclaves.

The small-scale miners are hopeful that the government will act swiftly to allocate concession blocks to licensed and responsible operators to secure jobs, support local economies, and ensure peace within.