The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has advised political parties to channel their energies into making the nation better where the rule of law thrives, instead of sacrificing civilised conduct for populism.
This was in a statement issued by Professor Patrick Agbesinyale, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry, on behalf of Mr John Peter Amewu, the Sector Minister on Friday in response to a comment made by former President John Mahama which, according to the statement, could incite small-scale miners to resort to lawlessness.
The former President, whilst addressing supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a Unity Walk in Kumasi last Saturday, was reported to have said that the Akufo-Addo-led Government’s use of “shoot-to-kill” approach in the fight against galamsey was counterproductive.
It, therefore, described the former President’s comments as distasteful.
The statement said unlike the previous government that failed to resolve the debilitating effects of illegal mining in the country, the current Administration had well-thought out plan to deal with the massive destruction caused to the natural vegetation, land and river bodies, through the activities of illegal miners.
It said the Ministry had developed comprehensive policy document known as the Multi-Sectoral Mining Integrated Project (MMIP), which would serve as a vehicle to deal effectively and holistically with the menace.
The MMIP, which would be launched in few a days’ time by President Akufo-Addo, contains five key broad components; revision and enforcement of the legal and regulatory regime for artisanal small-scale mining, reclamation of degraded lands, dredging of silted estuaries and waterways and fresh lands for agribusiness.
The rest are implementation of social interventions to facilitate sustainable livelihoods in mining communities, adoption of technology to ensure efficient mining, processing and environmental monitoring activities and capacity building for miners, regulatory institutions and effective project management.
The statement said even before the implementation of the MMIP, the Ministry had undertaken a number of activities in the quest to control illegal mining.
These include project appraisal and project implementation plans, vetting of small-scale miners’ licences to determine the scope of their mining concessions and whether their licences are genuine, as well as the implementation of alternative livelihood programme resulting in the distribution of over one million palm seedlings to farmers for plantation.
“We urge all small-scale miners that our message to them remains the same. Thus, working together to sanitise the small-scale mining industry such that their operations will be sustainable and more profitable,” the statement said.
Source: GNA
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from our OTHER Ex-Presidents when we take a cue from Ex-President Kufuor
I really, get pissed off when I hear some NDC politicians speak to pertinent national issues which I, as a proud Ghanaian, expect treated beyond party politics, become baseless party polemics and propaganda. Indeed, I'm very right to infer that those politicians insult and underrate the intelligence of the electorates and that is a grievous fault. I very much believe that NDC members or electorates, with the benefit of the successive change of Governments, can read between lines to determine which Party when in Government is more corrupt and deceptive. Clearly, some utterances of the former President Mahama are below the belt and un-statesmanship. Indeed, we as Ghanaians irrespective of our political affiliations have much to desire from our Ex-Presidents when we take a cue from Ex-President Kufuor. Asem S€ b€!!
Peter, do you know what? I affectionately call you Peter because I like you and respect you for the devotion and the good job you are doing. Of course, Informed criticism is welcomed by you but don't let those pocket and empty-headed NDC politicians distract you from your determination to stop illegal miners destroy our environment.
JAM, you are so idi*t I don't even know how to describe you. Listen, blessings from God comes after an action from mankind, if I were you with this your hate and jealousy Peacefm online will be the last resort for me to have my view heard since the owner is an Akan and you don't want anything Akan. I will never go to Herold, informer, Kasapa, classfm or anything against Ghana to express my views. You people are not moving on because of the darkness in your hearts. Free yourselves from tribalism and hate and gain your freedom to prosperity and progress. NPP is not for tribalism but intelligence, wisdom,compassion and visionary people, that's why they are unique, that's why the international community loves them and that's why ndc hate them because all the kritical thinkers are in the NPP which make them the most civilized party in Ghana. John mahama couldn't even win a Bole Bomboi constituency chairmanship if he were to be in that party,but look at ndc the blind falling over themselves for a visionless extra large super,super incompetent but competent in thi*very and insults.
THIS AMEWU GUY WILL SOON BE PUSHED OUT BY NANA ADDO AND HIS AKYEM THUGS. KEEP TALKING AND ISULTING AND DON'T WORK LIKE A CI.VILIZED MAN.