Andrew Atariwini, the Deputy Regional Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has noted that the NPP government has implemented training programs for over 4,000 artisanal miners, equipping them with knowledge of modern mining technologies.
“When came into government, what we did was to make sure that we begin to streamline the area. We begin to take people out of it, give them training and let them appreciate good mining.” “So we were able to train over 4,000 artisanal miners. We give them training to understand the new technologies that are available and then we place a moratorium on mining across board. What they are saying we should do now, we’ve done it.”
To mitigate the impacts of illegal mining on livelihoods, he noted that an alternative livelihood program was introduced, benefiting 35 communities and training 1,714 individuals, many of whom previously engaged in illegal mining. “Out of that, we were able to train in total, 1,714 individuals coming from 35 communities.”
The NPP official pointed out significant enforcement actions, including the seizure of more than 12,000 equipment used in galamsey operations. He also mentioned amendments to mining laws that increased penalties for illegal activities. Despite these efforts, Mr Atariwini acknowledged the ongoing challenges, attributing some of the difficulties to political divisions within the country.
Reflecting on the 2020 elections, he recalled how political rhetoric surrounding galamsey negatively impacted the NPP’s support in mining regions. “These were done before 2020. In 2020 election, when the subject of galamsey came up, which was the party that made the argument that we were cruel, we were a Carlos party, and for that matter they shouldn’t worry, once John Mahama wins the election, they were going get everybody freed. Because of that, we lost huge votes in the mining areas,” he said.
He expressed a desire for unity in tackling the issue, emphasizing that both the NPP and the opposition have tested various measures without achieving the desired results. “At this point that we are, we have the Tested everything testable to curb galamsey both with npp and NDC but it has not given us any tangible result because we are being political about the whole thing. I believe that, every work that has been done has not received the desired result because we are divided as a country especially within the political leadership.”
He reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to combating galamsey, urging for a collective effort to find sustainable solutions to this persistent problem. “The NPP is more committed in fighting galamsey than any other party that has come to government since 1992.” “The interest for me now is for us to begin putting in more pressure to find a better solution as a country,” he added.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
