Artisanal miners are partners in development, not enemies - Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to small-scale mining. He believes artisanal miners can help Ghana’s development if properly trained and supported.

At the Ghana Mining in Motion Summit, he spoke at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. He highlighted the government's efforts to integrate small-scale miners into the formal economy. This will be done through structured programs and regulatory reforms.

“Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state,” he said. “If properly trained and supported, they can be allies in our development.”

To tackle environmental and regulatory issues, President Mahama outlined key initiatives. These include the Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program and the Ghana Landscape Restoration Project.

“We are taking bold steps to formalize small-scale mining,” he stated. The initiatives aim to provide legal access to land, training, equipment, and shared infrastructure.

These programs will enhance economic inclusion and promote environmentally responsible mining practices. The government also plans to eliminate mercury use in gold mining by promoting safer alternatives.

“We’ll support environmentally safe alternatives for mining,” President Mahama added. He stressed collaboration with small-scale miners to reclaim degraded forest reserves and restore polluted water bodies.

“Together, we will reclaim our forest reserves,” he said. “Our river guards are already clearing illegal mining activities from our rivers.”

President Mahama reported progress in removing illegal miners from sensitive areas. Eight out of nine forest reserves have been cleared of illegal operations.

“This marks a significant step forward in protecting Ghana’s environment,” he concluded.

By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana