Change image of mining now!
There is an unending debate on the pros and cons of mining in the country.
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Whereas the beneficiaries of mining, be they mining companies, small-scale mining operators or illegal miners, find the enterprise economically worthwhile, environmentalists think that Ghana can do without the mines.
Those who argue against mining activities in the country cite the deplorable conditions in our mining communities to buttress their point.
It is normal to hear the Ghana Chamber of Mines, the umbrella body of mining companies in the country, small-scale operators and galamsey miners extol the contributions of mining to the national economy.
These bodies are quick to quote figures from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ghana Statistical Service to substantiate their claim that mining is, after all, contributing greatly to the growth of the economy.
We know that the Chamber of Mines is not amused of the operations of illegal miners, saying that they contribute towards the degradation of the environment.
The Daily Graphic dare say that some of the mining companies also contribute to environmental degradation, although by law they are required to sign onto environmental assessment and environmental management plans before they are allowed to begin operations.
Residents of towns such as Akwatia, Prestea, Tarkwa, Obuasi and lately others in northern Ghana need not be told what environmental degradation arising out of mining has done to them.
It must be stated that in those communities, there are many others who are living very fat at the expense of the silent majority whose farmlands have been degraded, water bodies polluted, while gulleys dug all over breed mosquitoes to put the people’s health at risk.
These accounts will certainly not sound like music in the ears of officials of the Chamber of Mines, small-scale operators and especially illegal miners because anytime we highlight the dangers of mining, they see that as a potential threat to their businesses.
But what is the reality on the ground?
There can be no doubt that mining contributes a lot to GDP. The mining companies pay royalty to the stools and district assemblies. However, majority of the people do not feel the effects of these royalties on their lives.
The Daily Graphic is aware of the contributions of mining to the country’s development process, except that there is room for the companies to do more.
We believe that the Chamber of Mines will be the first to admit that more needs to be done to bring the level of development in mining towns at par with mining communities in, say, South Africa.
Over the years, our governments have not been utilising the royalties paid and other dividends to improve the living conditions of residents of mining communities and it is about time they used the royalty payments and dividends to transform the mining communities because maintaining the status quo is objectionable.
The Daily Graphic calls on the government to expedite action on the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) Bill to help promote development in mining communities and ensure that the benefits of mining become more visible.
The mineral resources of the country belong to the country’s heritage and their exploitation must be a blessing, not a curse. It is within our means to change mining from being a monster devouring our environment into an agent championing the fight against poverty.
