Government's community mining program does not have a future – Okenhene

Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin expressed his doubts about the mining program put in place by the government, saying it had no promising future for the country.

He advised the government to focus on the Planting Food and Jobs (PFJ) program instead of the community mining program.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who described the agricultural policy as sustainable, said it would allow Ghana to get out of our economic difficulties.

Okyenhene made the remarks when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, paid him a courtesy visit to his Kyebi Palace on Monday, July 29, 2019.

According to Okyenhene, the future of Akyem Abuakua depends on agriculture and not on mining.

"Our option is to plant for food and jobs because it's sustainable," he said.

He added that "Plant for food and create jobs. I repeat again and again, it is our future and not the community mining activity. "

The government introduced the community mining program after lifting the ban on illegal mining as part of efforts to promote responsible and sustainable mining.

But Okyenhene was firmly convinced that "community farming and planting for food and employment can not coexist".

Explaining his opposition to the community mining policy, he said: "We are not worried because it is a new policy. We wonder if we will achieve a different result. "

He highlighted the damage done to river bodies and the environment in recent decades and explained that Ghana had not benefited properly from mining.

He spoke of the disparity in development between Johannesburg in South Africa and Obuasi in Ghana.

Although the cities of Obuasi and Johannesburg are both known for mining, he said, the latter was developed while the former remained in poor condition.

The Okyenhene wondered why the Land Ministry was in a hurry to go ahead with the community mining program while the reclamation exercise of the land destroyed by illegal mining activities did not make any sense. was not finished yet.

The community mining program aims to formalize mining in some communities across the country.

With at least one community mine on the verge of being established in each of the country's mining districts, community mines will provide employment opportunities for more than 4,500 government-trained miners at the University. Mines and Technology (UMaT). Tarkwa

At the launch ceremony of the pilot program on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, President Akufo-Addo said the community mining program would ensure that "mining will proceed in the right manner, in accordance with the law without destroying our natural resources. . "

But Okyenhene who launched the project against the program said that "community mining can not coexist with Planting for Food and Jobs".

He lamented that legal and illegal mining has destroyed river bodies and the environment over the years and that Ghana has not benefited from mining.

-Citinewsroom