PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

The leadership of small-scale and community miners is commending Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, Member of Parliament, for his clear distinction between lawful small-scale mining and the illegal practice of mining in river bodies. This distinction reinforces the importance of protecting the environment while promoting legitimate mining activities that provide livelihoods for thousands of Ghanaians.

Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye,

Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye has taken a bold stance by separating the practices of responsible, regulated miners from the destructive and illegal activities commonly referred to as “galamsey,” which includes mining in water bodies. By doing so, he ensures that the livelihoods of genuine miners, who abide by the laws and environmental regulations, are safeguarded while addressing the harmful effects of illegal mining.

The Call for Media and CSO Education

We, the small-scale and community miners, also wish to call on the rented press and certain Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to educate themselves on the various forms of mining in Ghana. A blanket approach that lumps all miners together as “illegal” without understanding the critical differences does a great disservice to lawful small-scale miners and undermines the hard work of those committed to sustainability and the rule of law.

The press, in particular, must refrain from sensationalism and instead engage in fact-based reporting. Responsible journalism is critical to supporting the government’s fight against illegal mining while ensuring the legitimate miners who follow the law are not unfairly targeted. Similarly, we urge CSOs to seek a better understanding of the mining sector to advocate effectively and fairly on issues affecting the industry.

Support for Responsible Mining

Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye’s commitment to supporting responsible mining practices while combating illegal operations is a step in the right direction. His approach will help preserve Ghana’s environment, particularly our water bodies, while ensuring that small-scale and community miners who operate within the law continue to contribute to the national economy.

We Stand for Lawful Mining

As responsible miners, we stand behind Hon. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye and his efforts to protect both our industry and the environment. We call on all stakeholders to join in promoting responsible, lawful mining practices in Ghana.

Signed,
Yaw Ansah
PRO, Lawful Small-Scale and Community Miners
[Contact Information]

For further inquiries, please contact:
*lKwame Kelly
024 159 4435

This press release may be published and distributed freely by all media outlets.