The Vice President and presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has committed to addressing the escalating issue of illegal mining by empowering the Ghana Geological Survey Department to map the country’s gold belt.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to formalize the artisanal mining sector and curb environmental damage.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that reliable data on Ghana’s gold deposits would form the basis of a strategy to combat illegal mining. A key component of this approach is the promotion of an enhanced community mining scheme.
This scheme aims to restrict miners to specific concessions that can be effectively monitored and regulated, thereby reducing the environmental impact and illicit operations associated with galamsey.
To further support the formalization of the mining sector, Dr. Bawumia proposed incentivizing miners through the introduction of the ‘gold katcha’ technology. This technology eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals like mercury and cyanide in gold extraction, while simultaneously increasing gold yields.
Responding to questions on his plans to tackle illegal mining, Dr. Bawumia affirmed his commitment to addressing the issue should he be elected.
The Vice President said this during a stakeholder engagement session as part of his campaign activities in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra region.
Articulating his vision to the stakeholders comprising religious groups, traders, business operators, garage operators, nurses, teachers, and residents among others, Dr. Bawumia, announced that he would wave import duties on vehicles for medical practitioners including nurses and doctors.
He explained that this incentive was halted due to its abuse but maintained that the full implementation of GhanaCard now enables its reintroduction.
