Avoid unnecessary rivalry and ugly competitions. Let your impacts be outstanding and help improve the well-being of your members and the national economy.

That Is an admonition by Supervising High Court Judge for Ashanti Region, Justice Kofi Akrowiah, to small scale miners.

He was swearing in newly-elected executives for the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners.

Justice Akrowiah entreated them to promote discipline, unity and  harmony.

He also encourages the leaders to engage with relevant agencies to streamline the mining sector. 

"I humbly entreat you to always prepare effectively for meetings to enable you to participate effectively to improve upon your sector. Do not attend meetings just to sit in and listen, only to take your allowance at the end of it," Justice Akrowiah advised.

The small-scale mining sector is an important socio-economic area for rural poor in many developing countries like Ghana.

It represents a crucial livelihood and income source for the poverty-stricken local population.

Justice Akrowiah says the impact of the miners from rural development to revenue generation cannot be overlooked.

He, however, expressed worry about the devastating effects of activities of some miners on the environment, citing pollution and destruction of water bodies as examples. 

"I hope the association would assist all stakeholders to curb this menace," he said.

Gold Programme Manager of farmer services organisation, Solidaridad, Yaw Britwum Opoku, encouraged the miners to lead in addressing land degradation and destruction of water bodies.

Mr. Opoku emphasizes the need to get women needs and rights protected, adding about 51 per cent of people employed in the sector are women. 

"There should, therefore, be specific policy interventions to address this issue," he pointed out.

President of the association Philip Kwasi Akuffo, urges members to continue to practice sustainable mining and avoid causing havoc to the environment. 

Representative from Minerals Commission,Wilson Waanab Zoogah, says the association has the full backing of the law.

He charged the new leadership to approach their work in confidence.