The Akufo-Addo administration should roll out good economic policies that will lead to the creation of more jobs so people who will be affected by the government’s war on illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) will have something to fall on, Rt. Rev Christopher Andam, the Bishop of the Methodist Diocese of the Ashanti Region, has advised.
The Methodist bishop is a member of a group of church leaders in the Ashanti Region which declared its support to government’s drive to flush out illegal miners in the country, owing to its environmentally destructive effects.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu in March 2017 gave miners a three-week ultimatum to cease their activities, which culminated in over 400 earth-moving equipment being withdrawn from illegal mining sites.
A media group against illegal mining has also been formed and following their declaration of support on Tuesday for President Akufo-Addo’s “good” move, Christian leaders in the Ashanti region have also asked the President and his team to ensure that those who lose their jobs as miners have alternative employment.
“What we would urge government is to come out with good policies that will grow the economy to produce jobs so most people can get employment. If even people will have to undertake mining, it should legislated so it is carried out in an appropriate manner,” Rt. Rev Andam told Chief Jerry Forson on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Wednesday May 3.
“So I believe there should be a comprehensive approach to the issue but for now we would like to see galamsey come to an end so we preserve our environment.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
