Hon. Collins Dauda, Lands and Natural Resources Minister
The Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly has resolved to intensify education on mining activities in the area to forestall any future disasters.
As part of its strategy, seminars would be held for mining companies in the area, chiefs and opinions leaders, and the youth who are largely involved in mining activities.
According to the assembly, the move had become necessary since the issue of illiteracy in mining areas was very huge and had compounded the unemployment situations in such areas, hence their willingness to indulge in hazardous and illegal mining activities.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Peter Kofi Ashia Jnr., who revealed this to Today, noted that the disaster that occurred sometime last month in the municipality when several people were buried alive in a pit while they indulged in illegal mining had been a great worry to the assembly.
He hoped that the intensive education on dangers of illegal mining and acclaimed mining practices would discourage the youth of the area from continuing to engage in the illegal act.
“We hope the seminar will empower and enlighten them on good preparations about the land and good knowledge regarding its general layout, and also know what type of machines should be used there,” he said.
Making reference to Article 703 of the Mining Law, Hon. Ashia Jnr., noted with regret that the mining law was not being effectively and efficiently implemented due to the lack of understanding by the major stakeholders.
He said even though the law stated clearly that one had to acquire a license before engaging in mining activities, most of the practitioners impudently flout the law and begin operations as soon as they get the land from the chiefs.
He pointed out that the assembly had initiated policies to ensure compliance of the law in the area beginning with frequent monitoring and evaluation of companies in the area.
He continued that plans are afoot to ensure that employees of mining companies in the area are given alternative training skills.
“You cannot just use someone for about 10 years and not train him/her in anyway, what happens to him/her when he/she leaves,” he wondered.
The MCE noted that the assembly had embarked on a number of projects in the area.
These include community based rural development projects, rural electrification, community water and sanitation and educational facilities.
STORY: FROM JAMES APPIAKORANG JNR., DUNKWA
Please can you provide me with locations (names of galamsey sites) in upper denkyira east municipality and west district? I’m doing a research project on galamseys. Thanks.