The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama says he will grant amnesty to all arrested galamsey operators if voted into office come December 7 polls.

John Mahama disclosed this at a durbar of chiefs and people at Odum-Banso in the Western Region on Thursday.

Addressing the Chiefs and people of the community, he stated that his administration will give these offenders a second chance to better their lives.

“When we come into power, I will grant amnesty to everyone who was arrested for operating in Galamsey. I believe that these operators are remorseful towards any unlawful activities, so we will give them another chance.”

The former president also noted that his government has a well-planned policy that will develop small scale mining.

He emphasised that the party will expand job opportunities in the mining sector, to create wealth for the people, especially those living in mining communities.

John Mahama added that unlike the NPP government, his administration will put political affiliations aside and ensure that the initiative benefits every small-scale miner.

“The Akufo-Addo government has allowed his party members to benefit from small scale-mining and has stopped people who are not affiliated to the NPP party to starve," he stated.

He added that every mining district in Ghana will be assigned professionals from the University of Mines and Technology at Tarkwa (UMaT) to regulate and train all small scale miners to ensure the safety of the miners during the mining process.

The flagbearer stated that the NDC administration the UMaT professionals will also train small scale miners in land reclamation.

This, he said, will minimise the death toll and the negative impact of mining on the environment.

John Mahama urged the people of the Odum-Banso to vote massively for him and his parliamentary candidate.