Community Mining is Galamsey, Says Ayehu

Ebenezar Ekow Ayehu, the General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, has expressed his view that community mining is equivalent to galamsey, an illegal mining activity. According to him, community mining is not sanctioned by the constitution.

“Community mining is galamsey. It is not in the constitution,” he affirmed in an interview on Nkwantannanso with Samuel Kwaw on June 22 .

Ayehu further highlighted that community mining, which the government claims is intended for Ghanaian citizens, is also being carried out by foreigners, particularly the Chinese.

“Just go and check Obuasi and Tarkwa. It is the Chinese who are involved in this community mining.”

He pointed out that while the government has instructed illegal miners to obtain licenses from district assemblies to engage in community mining, it is not the proper procedure. Ayehu believes that the government should pass a law through Parliament to legalize community mining.

“It is the constitution that allows mining, not district assemblies. The government should go to Parliament and pass a law. We are expecting a law to be passed concerning community mining.”

Community mining is specifically reserved for Ghanaians, with a focus on host communities. It is an innovative approach aimed at involving locals in legal mining activities within their own communities.