
George Mireku Duker (seated 6th right) with media practitioners and government communicators

A Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, George Mireku Duker, has implored the citizenry to help fight against illegal mining to ensure responsible mining in the country.
He reiterated that the fight against illegal mining is a shared responsibility that must have the active participation of every Ghanaian.
According to him, the government’s vigorous campaign to end illegal small-scale mining will not yield the desired result if all stakeholders, including the lay Ghanaian, do not assume their role in the battle.
He made the call during an engagement with the media practitioners and government communicators in the Ashanti Region. It was aimed at accelerating the progress made by the government in the fight as well as sensitise them on their respective roles to combat the menace.
Shared responsibility
The Deputy Minister further pointed out that the onus lies, not only on the central government but, on all citizens and stakeholders, in protecting the water bodies and helping save Ghana’s future for posterity.
He also gave an elaborative presentation on the battle against illegal mining from 2017 when the Nana Addo Dankwa-led administration assumed office, telling how far it has fared.
The Deputy Minister highlighted some interventions rolled out by the government to sanitise the small-scale mining sector.
He cited interventions like the organization of consultative dialogues, declaration of red zones, digitalization of small-scale mining licenses, commissioning of mercury-free machines, acquisition of speedboats, activation of the Community Mining Scheme and recruitment of river wardens as commitment on the part of government to sanitise the sector.
He further reminded the trained communicators of their role as liaisons between the government and the general public, entreating them to propagate noble achievements of the government.
Government role
Mr Mireku Duker also explained in detail government’s role in curbing the menace to save the image of the Ministry for the continuous blame of the ineffectiveness of some state institutions.
He demonstrated with examples that the government and Ministry’s core duty is formulating and implementing policies for the attainment of its objectives for the sector.
The Deputy Minister commended officials of his outfit and allied agencies on the efforts to facilitate the effective and smooth operation of security agencies involved in the fight.
He reiterated government’s position on mining activities in general, stressing that “government is not against mining”.
He believes Ghanaians and government, for that matter, love their gold and other minerals and the jewellery the country makes out of them, but are against illegal mining. He urged the communicators to provide accurate and truthful information to the public.
The Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the governing NPP, Dennis Kwakwa, also explained the far-reaching and devastating impact of illegal mining on the very lives of the citizens and on the socio-economic activities of the country.
“If care is not taken, Ghana will soon lose its relevance in the field of trade, owing to the use of mercury in the rive bodies and impact on various foods, including cocoa,” he indicated.