Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) running mate, has assured voters that an NPP government will support small-scale miners by empowering them to engage in responsible mining practices. He emphasized that under the next NPP administration, there would be no ban on small-scale mining, but rather initiatives to help miners expand their operations responsibly.
Addressing a large gathering of party supporters and community members in the Manso Adubia Constituency of the Ashanti Region, the former Energy Minister, popularly known as Napo highlighted the distinction between responsible mining and illegal activities that damage the environment.
He noted that the NPP’s revised strategy would shift from relying on bans to tackling illegal mining by fostering a regulated and sustainable mining industry.
As part of his campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Prempeh visited various churches, where he expressed gratitude for the prayers and spiritual support offered by congregants to him, the NPP presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the party as a whole.
He also used the opportunity to remind the congregants of the NPP’s strong track record in government, particularly in the agriculture sector.
Dr. Prempeh also shared details of Dr. Bawumia’s vision for the mining industry, which includes the creation of a Minerals Development Bank in partnership with the private sector.
This proposed bank would provide financial backing to small-scale miners, enabling them to grow their businesses sustainably and adopt environmentally responsible practices.
He assured miners that the next NPP administration would not use bans as a solution to curb illegal mining but would instead focus on providing the necessary support and policies to promote lawful mining operations. According to Napo, the establishment of the Minerals Development Bank would play a key role in helping miners adopt responsible practices while also reducing the harassment they often face.
Highlighting the NPP’s economic achievements, Dr. Prempeh pointed to the government’s success in sectors like cocoa production.
He noted that Ghana achieved its highest-ever cocoa output of over one million metric tonnes during the 2020/2021 crop season, attributing this to the government’s strategic investments and support for cocoa farmers.
During his visit, Dr. Prempeh also met with local community members to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal mining and its harmful effects on the environment.
He promised to introduce community mining initiatives, which would provide a safer and more regulated alternative for small-scale miners, ensuring the sustainable management of Ghana’s mineral resources for the benefit of the economy and future generations.
Throughout his tour, the clergy offered prayers for the safety and success of Dr. Prempeh, Dr. Bawumia, and the NPP as they continued their campaign toward the upcoming elections.
Dr. Prempeh reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to utilizing Ghana’s mineral resources in a way that promotes economic growth while protecting the environment for the future.
Source: Classfmonline