The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu says the government and the New Patriotic Party was not against mining.
Rather, he stressed the government was against illegal mining.
Addressing youth activists drawn from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the biggest opposition party in Kumasi, the minister noted the commitment of government to ensure citizens got decent jobs to do.
However, he stressed no space would be given to anybody to engage in any illegal activity just because the person wanted money.
GALAMSEY:
Dwelling on the effects of illegal mining in the country, Mr Amewu said the country risked buying water from other neighbouring countries if the current spate of galamsey activities was not stopped.
According to him, widespread vegetation, water bodies and forest cover had been destroyed because of illegal mining.
This, he insisted presented the government a choice to either halt the illegal activity and save the present generation or allow it and cut short the life of both present and unborn generations.
The Minister noted every country survived mainly due to the kind of ecosystem it has and cultivated.
He, therefore, urged the youth to partner the government to stem the worrying tide and ensure it streamlines the activities of small scale miners in the country.
RESPONSE:
Speaking on behalf of the NPP, Nelson Owusu Ansah, acting youth organiser of the Ashanti regional branch of the NPP commended government for its effort in seeking to halt galamsey activities.
According to him, the environment serves as the backbone of every country and the earlier it is saved the better for the citizens.
Yaw Brogya Genfi, the youth organiser of the NDC commended the government for its sustained effort so far and pledged the support of his outfit to ensure illegal mining is halted.
He stressed the situation would not have been so devastating if previous governments had demonstrated such commitment as being shown by the current government to fight the menace.
He, however, appealed to government to ensure they allowed those having permits to continue their work when issues of regularization by the ministry was complete.
