Minister for Lands and Natural Resources reiterates government's resolve to ensure responsible mining Unveiled 2022 Ghana Small Scale Mining Awards

Following the government's resolve to ensure responsible mining to safeguard the safety of lives and welfare of the population, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Honorable Samuel Abu Jinapor in collaboration with other stakeholders unveils this year's Ghana National Small Scale Miners Awards.

The awards scheme, the Minister said is Paramount in these changing times to encourage players in the sector to be particular and responsible in safeguarding the general well-being of the environment, protection of forest cover and land as well as water bodies. He said the government wants to encourage responsible small-scale mining but not in any way against small-scale mining.

He said because the sector is bedeviled with unacceptable practices which consequences are dire on human health hence the encouragement to engage in responsible mining. Given that, the Minister said the government after putting many measures in place to curtail the excesses, has introduced the award scheme which is in its second year.

The 2022 edition of the Ghana National Small Scale Miners Awards will see an expansion of categories which will include Best Female Miner, Best Male Miner, Best Small Scale Miner on Environmental Stewardship, Best Small Scale Miner in Corporate Social Responsibility, Best Exporter, Best Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive and Best Traditional Leader.

This, according to the Minister, while clamping down on illegal small-scale mining, has been making a point that it is interested in responsible small-scale mining. The ward ceremony is in partnership with the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners, the Minerals commission, and other corporate entities.

Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor