Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Inusah Fuseini, has charged management of Minerals Commission (MC) to expedite action on the processing of applications for artisanal small-scale mining license to enable the ministry clear the huge backlog of applications.
The minister was optimistic that the move will facilitate sustainable development of the mining sector because it will encourage galamsey(to wit illegal miners) operators to secure licences and help to stem the wanton degradation of the environment.
Hon. Inusah Fuseini gave the directive during his interaction with management and staff of the Minerals Commission during his visit to the Commission.
The visit formed part of the newly appointed minister?s tour of agencies under the ministry and also provided a platform for him (Hon. Inusah Fuseini) to share his vision for the development of the mining sector with the Commission.
The lands and natural resources minister emphasised that the elimination of illegal mining operators, particularly foreigners, was one of the top priorities of government and pledged to work actively with all allied organisations including ministries of interior, local government and rural development, environment, science and technology, among others for an integrated approach to tackle the problem.
To effectively root out the galamsey challenge, Hon. Inusah Fuseini averred that hisministry will focus attention on ?identifying the real masterminds and powerful people some ofwho reportedly reside in the Middle East, who has been funding these illegal mining operations.?
He stressed that there was an urgent need to pursue this campaign to its logical conclusion to safeguard ?our prized national heritage like the Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas such as the Atwima Forest Reserve.
Hon. Inusah Fuseini also announced that he would pursue a vision for the accelerated development of the mining industry by formulating a policy that would ensure greater involvement of Ghanaians across the entire spectrum of the mining industry.
To prosecute this vision, the minister said he will require the unflinching support of all staff of the Minerals Commission to work together as a team with a common vision and mission.
?It is for this purpose that l call on you to put aside all your idiosyncrasies so that we can all put our shoulders to the wheel to enable us work together diligently as a team to avert the menace of the natural resource curse in this country,? urged theminister.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Ben Aryee, pledged the technical support of his agency for the formulation of appropriate policies to promote the development of the sector, adding that ?we will do all in our power to ensure that you succeed.?
STORY: KORYEKPOR AWLESU FREEMAN
