The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has assured Ghanaians of his commitment to supporting small-scale miners for their prosperity under his leadership.

He made the pledge when he addressed the electorate on his plans for the mining sector during his campaign tour to the Western Region.

He indicated that although mining in the country had had its challenges, it also holds significant promise of opportunities if well-managed and successfully streamlined.

He acknowledged that the sector had grappled with issues such as poor stakeholder engagement, lengthy licensing processes, lack of support for small-scale miners, environmental pollution and inadequate geological mapping for small-scale mining areas.

Dr. Bawumia highlighted that under the NPP government’s tenure with himself as Vice President, significant strides had been made to address the challenges and harness the opportunities in the mining sector.

He mentioned that initiatives such as online licensing applications for small-scale miners had replaced the often cumbersome licensing process, reducing waiting times and bureaucratic hurdles.

He stressed that the retooling of the Minerals Commission had also enhanced regulatory oversight and enforcement, ensuring that mining activities comply with environmental standards and best practices. He said the establishment of community mining schemes (CMS) had provided opportunities for local communities to participate in responsible mining practices.

He pointed to the Alternative Livelihood Projects (ALPs) and the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programmes (NAELPs), which had been instrumental in providing sustainable alternatives to illegal miners and those affected by the sanitization of the mining sector.

Dr. Bawumia said he would ensure sustainable growth and responsible stewardship of Ghana’s natural resources. He indicated plans to maximize the benefits of Ghanaian resources through value addition and Ghanaian ownership while establishing a new paradigm in natural resource contracts.

He intends to formalize and regulate environmentally sustainable small-scale mining, supporting capacity building and access to financing for miners, and promoting responsible mining practices throughout the value chain.

He also seeks to facilitate their transition from subsistence operations to formalized enterprises, thereby unlocking the sector’s potential for sustainable development and wealth creation.

Dr. Bawumia reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing collaboration among the government, private sector and civil society to address the challenges facing the mining sector.