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Gbane Mining Current Issue: A View from a Disappointed Journalist
Mining

Gbane Mining Current Issue: A View from a Disappointed Journalist

Mr. Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen has described the ongoing situation in Gbane a mining community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region as disheartening and saddening. According to Mr. Ngamegbulam, as a journalist, he has always strived to advocate for the best interests of the community and its residents. However, recent events have revealed a harsh truth about some individuals they as media personalities fight for, as they seem to have their own selfish interests at heart. The conflict surrounding the Gbane mining issue between a Chinese company Earl International and the community has not only brought humiliation to them as media practitioners but has also created enemies among those they seek justice for – the ordinary Talensi, small scale miners, and Gbani citizens. He said, his disillusionment grew when I learned that the small scale miners in Gbane, whom we have been championing for, have struck a deal with Earl International to surrender their concessions. Despite receiving compensation for their concessions, reports suggest that funds were transferred to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) account for disbursement by the Upper East Regional Minister to these concession owners. However, few groups allege they did not receive their share, implicating a certain Robert Boazor who allegedly accepted a portion on behalf of the group. The fact that these concession owners, all hailing from Talensi, willingly sold their means of livelihood to Earl International Company for personal gain is disappointing. By accepting financial incentives and quarterly payments, they essentially relinquished control over their concessions, leaving the fate of the community in the hands of the company. “It is disheartening to see innocent Talensi citizens suffer due to the greed and shortsightedness of a few. As a journalist, I will remain steadfast in shedding light on this issue and holding accountable those responsible for betraying their community”. As the dust settles, questions arise about the involvement of NGOs in the area and their potential ulterior motives. Amidst all the chaos, it is unfortunate that sincere media practitioners find themselves under scrutiny, while the concession owners enjoy financial benefits at the expense of their own people. These are little facts: Did small scale miners gave out their concessions to Earl International? The answer is ‘YES’ Did Earl International transferred funds to RCC account for the Regional Minister onward distribution to these concession owners (Small Scale Miners)? The answer is big ‘YES’ Did the Regional Minister distributed these monies to the concession owners (small scale miners) YES, but few groups still have issues which I personally think is regrettable. What about the NGOs in the area, are they having their parochial interest? Big “YES” The recent clash was between the miners and military personnel who were deployed by REGSEC together with the police to ensure security for what was described as illegal mining pits sealing exercise. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com  

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Upper East Small Scale Miners needs gazetted Areas for mining- Tampoare Robert Boazor Tampoare Robert Boazor Upper East Regional Chairman Small Scale Miners
Business

Upper East Small Scale Miners needs gazetted Areas for mining- Tampoare Robert Boazor

The Upper East Regional Chairman for Small scale Miners Tampoare Robert Boazor has said that all mining stakeholders need to come together to help addressed issues affecting mining activities in the country. Mr. Boazor who was speaking in an exclusive interview with Apexnewsgh.com was responding to the President’s question during the last State of the Nation Address on what could be a way forward to address the mining issues in the country. He stressed that the issue of small-scale mining is not about the military, is about the government in collaboration with the Mineral Commission who is the facilitator of the mining activities. During the ban on Small Scale Miners, we and the government were always into several meetings deliberating on issues bothering the Small-scale miners and their activities in the country with some NGOs and some stakeholders. We understand clearly that, small-scale miners or the Galamsey issue in the country is not about the military, is about the small-scale miners and the government in collaboration with the mineral commission who is the facilitator of the activities. But we need to come together to be able to work out things and see that issues of small-scale miners or galamseyers in the country are addressed. I say that because we the small-scale miners know the places that have been gazetted for small-scale miners and we know the areas that have not been gazetted for small-scale miners. So, for that matter, if you don’t have a license and you are operating outside the gazetted areas, you become an illegal miner or galamsey operator and I think, is with this regard that government of the day send thousands of people to be trained under Community Mining and it is only in the Northern sector that places have not been gazetted for small scale mining activities for Community Mining. But when you get to the southern sector; Ashanti Region, Western Region, Central Region, in all areas they do mining activities, there are areas allocated for the small-scale miners as a community mining and those who are doing the galamsey or illegal mining have been sent to those areas and now they are doing the work with the condition of Mineral Commission. According to Mr. Boazor, issues of illegal mining or galamsay is still a worrying situation in the Upper East Region because, in 2016 the Mahama NDC government came and deblocked areas meant for small scale mining, giving the opportunity to the large-scale miners to take over all areas without considering the welfare of small-scale miners in the region. “In 2016, the NDC government came and deblocked all those areas for large scale, when you see the large-scale companies that are operating in the region now, they are operating areas that are meant for small scale mining.” However, Mr. Boazor hinted that they have presented some areas for Community Mining to the mineral commission and government for consideration but unfortunately, they have not received any response yet. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.

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Discussions on galamsey must not be politicised – Akufo-Addo President Akufo Addo
Opinion

Discussions on galamsey must not be politicised – Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has made a passionate plea to leaders of the country to take discussions on galamsey (illegal mining) out of the party-political arena. This, according to him, will allow for a productive dialogue that will address the menace. “We, who are leaders, owe it to the country to take the subject out of the party-political arena and have an honest conversation about this menace to our future. While delivering his final State of the Nation Address for his first term in office, Mr. Akufo-Addo stressed the need for an immediate solution to galamsey as its continued practice “leads to the pollution of our water bodies and the devastation of our landscape”. Galamsey has posed a major environmental challenge to the nation for decades due to its attendant effect on our lands, water bodies, and forests. Although small-scale mining is a preserve of Ghanaians, some foreigners, particularly the Chinese have circumvented the system by providing mining support services to local miners and have over time become owners of the mining concessions by either buying concessions from Ghanaians or from the chiefs. In his address to the nation, the President referred to the use of some of these types of illegal mining equipment that degrades our environment as “dangers” to our environment. “The problem we have is the use of modern technology that leads to the illegal mining methods posing serious dangers to our water bodies and the health of our environment,” he stated. “The pollution of our rivers and water resources has been so acute on occasion that the Ghana Water Company is unable to afford the distilling of water to make for safe drinking. With a promise to put his presidency on the line to fight against galamsey when he assumed office as president in 2017, Akufo-Addo instituted many measures including the setting up of Operation Vanguard, a Military Police Joint Task Force (JTF) to combat the menace. However, in recent times, it appears that the fight has been has lost. By calling for the depoliticisation of the discussion on galamsey, it is hoped that collectively, Ghana will find a lasting solution to this menace and preserve our environment for posterity. Myjoyonline Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0555568093.

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