Awula Serwah urges Sammy Gyamfi to retract unlicensed mining comments

Awula Serwah, the Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, has called on the Ghana Gold Board Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, to retract recent comments regarding unlicensed small-scale mining. Serwah described the remarks as "irresponsible," warning that they pose a significant threat to the nation's environmental legal framework. The demand follows Gyamfi's suggestion that small-scale miners could potentially operate without formal licenses, provided they avoid mining in water bodies and forest reserves.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Serwah emphasized that such statements undermine the critical role of licensing in protecting Ghana's natural resources. She argued that mining licenses are essential for ensuring that all extraction activities comply with established environmental regulations and occur in designated areas. By suggesting that licenses are optional under certain conditions, Serwah contends the Gold Board CEO is effectively encouraging illegal mining activities that have already caused widespread damage across the country.

The Executive Director further highlighted the severe impact of unregulated mining on the agricultural sector, noting that irresponsible mining practices threaten the livelihoods of more than 2.5 million farmers. Serwah pointed out that without strict adherence to licensing and land-use laws, farmlands are increasingly at risk of degradation, which could lead to long-term food insecurity and economic hardship for rural communities.

In her concluding remarks, Serwah reiterated the need for the government and its agencies to uphold the rule of law within the mining sector. She called for the provision of adequate compensation for farmers whose lands have been destroyed by illegal mining operations. The advocate maintained that maintaining the integrity of Ghana's environment requires a non-negotiable commitment to the country's mining laws and the protection of its water bodies and arable land.