It is unclear whether the suspension in the interim only affects the small scale mining sector.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SJsrhGUMmF0OAOIxT9mRVDf17PkQFnEQ”]There has been a massive public outcry against the menace following media campaigns led by Citi FM, other media houses and civil society organisations.

In its #StopGalamseyNow campaign, Citi FM among others demanded an immediate seizure of the issuance of licenses for small scale mining, while Parliament has referred a petition on the campaign to a joint committee.

Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting today [Monday] organized by Accra-based Joy FM to mark the government’s first 100 days in office, Dr. Bawumia revealed that, government had taken a major step by halting the issuance of mining licenses to address the problem.

“We have suspended the issuance of mining licenses so that we can restructure the sector,” the Vice President said.

Dr. Bawumia further revealed that, government had “developed a five year multilateral mining integrated project to improve the management of small scale mining to protect the environment”

He was however quick to add that, government had identified prospective areas for small scale mining, where “we will then direct the small scale miners to those particular areas so that they are not just mining haphazardly.”

The move, he said, is to allow Ghanaians to mine in a regulated and sustainable manner under the five-year multilateral mining integrated project.

“We are also banning mining around water bodies and making sure there is surveillance around those water bodies and also establishing a processing plant for gold processing.”

Respect our laws – Nana Addo to Chinese galamsey operators 

Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is not a witch-hunt against Chinese nationals, President Nana Akufo-Addo has said.

Speaking in Obomeng Kwahu, Eastern Region on Saturday, the President asserted that, the law which criminalizes illegal mining will be enforced irrespective of any nationality.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ve suspended issuance of mining license – Bawumia appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at a town hall encounter organised by Accra-based Joy FM, the Vice President said they have delivered beyond expectation, even though they did not tie any promises to their first hundred days in office.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5hLYMlRmKeKDqR7kccHDwk8Mc5LtfVEk”]“We did not make any promises for 100 days, we made promises for what we wanted to deliver to Ghana during our term in office. Notwithstanding that, the government, under the leadership of what I can say is our workaholic President, can point to some significant achievements in these last 100 days.”

Galamsey: We have suspended issuance of mining license 

Speaking on illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey, the Vice President expressed  government’s commitment to deal with the menace.

There has been a massive public outcry against the menace following media campaigns led by Citi FM and other civil society organisations.

In its #StopGalamseyNow campaign, Citi FM demanded an immediate seizure of issuance of licenses for small scale mining, while parliament has referred a petition on the campaign to a joint committee.

Dr. Bawumia revealed that government has taken a major step by halting the issuance of mining licenses.

“We have suspended the issuance of mining licenses so that we can restructure the sector. We have developed a five year multilateral mining integrated project to improve the management of small scale mining to protect the environment, but at the same time to allow Ghanaians to mine in a regulated and sustainable manner under this five-year multilateral mining integrated project, we will be identifying prospective areas for small scale mining where we will then direct the small scale miners to those particular areas so that they are not just mining haphazardly. We are also banning mining around water bodies and making sure there is surveillance around those water bodies and also establishing a processing plant for gold processing.”

We’ll deal with Delta Force, other vigilante groups 

Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia also re-iterated government’s resolve to deal with acts of political violence such as the recent Delta force court raid without fear or favour.

He said government will not shield offenders in the name of partisan politics.

“The message that he [The President] has sent as a result of the arrest, remand, fining of these people who broke the law is a clear message to the country that regardless of your political party, you cannot hide behind the cover that I am an NPP member so I can break the law with impunity. If you break the law you will be dealt with. You will not see Ministers lining up to sign petitions to release them.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We made no 100 days promises; but we’ve delivered – Bawumia appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.