NDC’s Mining Committee urges miners to support efforts to unseat NPP for better mining practices

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

Dr. Aubynn emphasized that the NDC is 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 regularize small-scale mining to empower locals when the sector was dominated by foreign interests”.

Dr. Aubynn pointed out that the NDC has consistently prioritized 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 criminalized 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.

However, he clarified that the NDC opposes only irresponsible mining practices that harm the environment, water bodies, and forest reserves.

“During our campaign in mining areas, we’ve observed and learned a lot from you, the miners. We recognize that not all mining sites are involved in illegal practices or environmental destruction,” Dr. Aubynn said.

He also observed 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 urged the 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 policies and plans for the NDC for the small-scale mining sector.

The NDC’s mining conference in Obuasi, chaired by Dr. Tony Aubynn, was attended by notable figures, including former Ashanti Regional Minister Alexander Ackon, former Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive Kwasi Ofori Agyemang (popularly known as King Zuba), Samuel Hadjor of the NDC National Mining Committee, and Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President of the Ghana Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, Adjei Baffour Acqua and Ebenezer Ayehu.

By Benjamin Aidoo