The spokesperson for the campaign of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer for the 2024 election, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has threatened to demonstrate against the government if it places a ban on small-scale mining.

In Mr Aboagye's view, the calls for a ban on small-scale mining are politically motivated and not in the interest of the country.

Speaking on Joy News on Thursday, September 19, he said the calls are in the interest of some political groups.

“The proposal they are making is not in the interest of the water bodies. They are making it in the interest of their own political affiliation,” he said.

He stated unequivocally his disagreement with the proposal to ban small-scale mining, saying it was not the appropriate measure to take especially when this approach failed in the past. “Banning small-scale mining I don’t think is the way to go because, one, we have tried it before and it did not solve the problem.”

Admitting the adverse effects of small-scale mining on the environment, he clarified that not all small-scale miners are operating illegally hence it would be unfair to ban them from working.

“There are people who are legitimately doing small-scale mining. It has nothing to do with galamsey, then we should go and ban Newmont and ban Gold Fields and Anglo Gold Ashanti and all that? But where Anglo Gold Ashanti and Newmont and co. are mining what has it got to do with the discussions we are having?” he added, “Indeed, our water bodies have been affected, indeed galamsey is destroying the water bodies.”

He said many would be rendered jobless should such a ban take effect.

“Do you know what happens when you ban small-scale mining? There are tens of thousands of people who will lose their jobs. If my government bans small-scale mining, I will demonstrate against them."

He also argued that sacking the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor from office, as some have suggested will not resolve the issue of illegal mining menace.

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