Small Scale Miners speaks on crashing the helicopter that killed the eight

Following the recent military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana Association of Small-Scale Miners, Adu Gyamfi, has pushed back against proposals to ban small-scale mining.

Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Gyamfi called the calls for a ban “needless” and illogical, arguing that the tragedy had nothing to do with small-scale mining activities.

He said miners did not attack the helicopter and the crash did not happen at a mining site, adding that linking the two was like “using medicine meant to treat a bleeding nose to treat pain in the bone.”

According to him, those pushing for the ban were acting out of “pain, grief, and ignorance.” He accused some leaders of being “ignorant of the reality on the ground,” pointing out that unemployment drives many people into small-scale mining.

“I would first extend our condolences to the bereaved families. But are we saying the helicopter fell into a galamsey pit and crashed? Did galamseyers shoot at the helicopter? Or were the pilot and crew members galamseyers?” he asked.

Gyamfi stressed that licensed small-scale miners are not permitted to operate in forest reserves or water bodies, and many have even hired people to stop others from engaging in illegal mining. He urged the government to focus on identifying those who have failed in their duties and allowed galamsey to persist, rather than blaming licensed operators.

He also called for a new approach to the fight against illegal mining, suggesting that independent and dedicated individuals, free from political interference, should lead the effort…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>