Dr. Tony Aubynn, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, is calling on small-scale mining leaders in Obuasi to support the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming elections.

Dr. Aubynn emphasised that, the NDC was committed to reforming the small-scale mining sector to benefit both the government and local miners.

Speaking to miners in Obuasi in the Ashanti region as part of the party’s campaign in the area, Dr. Aubynn highlighted the NDC’s long-standing commitment to small-scale mining.

He noted that, “former President Rawlings took significant steps to regularise small-scale mining to empower locals when foreign interests dominated the sector.”

Dr. Aubynn stressed that the NDC had consistently prioritised the needs of small-scale miners and aims to continue creating an enabling environment for them to operate effectively.

He explained, “Small-scale mining has existed in Ghana for decades, but after independence, it was criminalised for locals.

It was in 1989 that former President Jerry John Rawlings changed the laws, allowing local participation in small-scale mining.

The NDC has never opposed small-scale mining,” he added.

He, however, clarified that the NDC opposed only irresponsible mining practices that harmed the environment, water bodies, and forest reserves.

“During our campaign in mining areas, we have observed and learned a lot from you, the miners.

We recognise that not all mining sites are involved in illegal practices or environmental destruction,” Dr. Aubynn said.

He also noted that the NDC’s Committee on Mining includes industry leaders, mining engineers, and technical safety experts, who are prepared to support miners with technical advice, training, and guidance to improve their operations.

Dr. Aubynn appealed to mining site owners across the country to consider halting site operations for two days before the December 7, 2024, elections to allow workers to exercise their voting rights.

The aim of the Obuasi NDC mining conference was to explain the party’s policies and plans for the small scale mining sector.

The conference which was chaired by Dr. Aubynn, was attended by NDC stalwarts including Mr. Alexander Ackon, former Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Kwasi Ofori Agyemang, former Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Samuel Hadjor, member of the NDC National Mining Committee, and Mr. Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of the Ghana Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association.