The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) has sworn into office, 10 new district chairpersons to steer its affairs at the various districts across the country.

The district chairpersons who have a four-year mandate are: Frank Osei, Ashanti Chapter District Chairman; Mohammed Amoa, Akim Oda District Chairman; Ben Kwame Amonoo, Dunkwa District Chairman; Frederick Nana Amissah, Tarkwa District Chairman and Eric Addai, Konongo District Chairman.

The rest are Adu Gyamfi, Bibiani District Chairman; Nana Mark Yeboah, Asankragwa District Chairman; Benedictus Gbordzor, Assin Fosu District Chairman; Abdulai Yakubu, Wa District Chairman and Robert B. Tampoare, Bolgatanga District Chairman.

The ceremony held at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region was graced by national executives of the Association, the Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi, and the MCE of the Municipality.

Advising the newly sworn-in district chairpersons, the MCE of Obuasi, Elijah Adansi Bonah, said the mining sector faces a lot of issues which require a joint effort from the executives of the association and government to resolve.

He, therefore, advised the new executives to always consider negotiating with government to reach mutual grounds on policies they may not agree with. 

“I entreat the new leadership of the association to work hand-in-hand with government to better the sector because there are many issues that the mining sector faces and it requires a collective effort from all stakeholders to resolve all these issues.

"Whenever there are concerns with any of government’s decisions or policies, I urge the leadership to make it a point to come to the negotiating table so that an agreement that benefits all parties will be reached”, he advised.

On her part, the District Chief Executive of Obuasi East, Madam Faustina Amissah also advised the newly elected district chairpersons to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.

She said even though they may all have party affiliations, they must make sure they do not involve the association in any political debate. 

This she said, will help the association maintain a strong and cordial relationship with all political parties to enable them to engage with all governments.

“If you have taken it upon yourself to lead the association, then you must desist from involving the association in party politics because governments come and go and the association would have to work cordially with whoever is in power. The Association provides employment for the youth in our communities and we want to maintain that”, she said.

Safety of Miners

Nana Bawuah Afiamoah Kotokuo, Sansohene, also admonished small scale miners across the country to provide a safe working environment for its staff to prevent disasters associated with the job.

According to him, mining provides economic boosts like jobs and as such advised the miners to ensure that all safety protocols at their mining concessions are observed to prevent incidents that may cause injuries and loss of life.

To prevent armed robbery and other social vices in mining communities, Nana Bawuah Afiamoah Kotokuo further urged the small scale miners to ensure that they are well documented and have safety measures to ensure continuity of mining in the communities. 

He encouraged the small scale miners to be proud of the work they do and dignify it. 

“Please ensure that all your workers on your various sites look neat and presentable. A large number of them look so scary and unkempt. Please communicate to your members at the grassroots to begin to change their appearance”, he advised.

Security at mining sites

The Operations Commander for the Obuasi Division of the Ghana Police Service, ASP Raymond Mahama Iddrisu also assured the small scale miners and residents of Obuasi that the police would do everything within their means to clamp down on criminal activities in the municipality.

He said it was the duty of the police to ensure there was peace in the community and as such the Police Service would work hand-in-hand with the Association to achieve that.