Flagbearer of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has vowed to impose a one-year ban on small-scale mining if elected president.

He believes this bold move is essential to restore Ghana’s water bodies and address the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

In an exclusive interview on News Desk, Mr Kyerematen explained that the temporary ban would enable the government to take swift action.

“Within that one year, the government would ensure that we restore all our water bodies, and there is technology available to do that easily within one year,” he said, emphasising the importance of this pause to rehabilitate the country’s damaged rivers and streams.

Mr. Kyerematen acknowledged the potential impact on small-scale miners, many of whom are young people who rely on mining for their livelihoods.

“Within that one year, we are also going to establish a new framework to support young people who would have been displaced by the ban,” he assured.

Part of his plan includes turning the restoration of degraded lands into a commercial activity, offering young people the opportunity to participate in the rehabilitation efforts.

He outlined how his administration would support displaced miners in transitioning to more sustainable practices.

“The government would support them to establish their own mining companies and provide machinery that is appropriate for sustainable mining,” Kyerematen explained.

He added that the government would also provide seed funding and ensure miners receive all necessary licenses, including those from the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Kyerematen was candid about the complexity of the galamsey issue, describing the proposed one-year ban as part of a broader strategy.

“The new framework for sustainable mining is just one component of how we’ll deal with galamsey,” he said.

He stressed the need for integrity and a long-term solution that protects the environment while creating opportunities for young people.

The former Minister of Trade and Industry’s comments came as part of his ten-point plan, which addresses key national challenges.

One of his top priorities, he noted, is ensuring that young people can participate in a sustainable, thriving mining sector without harming Ghana’s natural resources.