NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 election, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has unveiled a significant policy shift regarding the government’s response to illegal mining, or galamsey, activities.
Speaking at a gathering of enthusiastic NPP supporters during a health walk in Kwahu, Eastern Region, on March 30, Dr. Bawumia announced a departure from the previous practice of burning confiscated excavators.
While acknowledging the efforts made by the NPP in combating galamsey over the past seven years, he emphasised the necessity for a fresh approach to effectively tackle the issue.
Dr. Bawumia pledged to implement a revamped strategy aimed at combating illegal mining while also preserving seized equipment, particularly excavators, if elected.
“We are going to help small-scale miners; we will introduce a mineral development bank to get money for them. There is a new regime for small-scale miners, we will not burn your seized excavators,” he said.
Additionally, he underscored that the current NPP administration, under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, has surpassed the previous Mahama government in every facet of the economy.
“Jobs, we have performed better, agricultural growth, we have performed better, Zongo development, we have performed better, roads, we have performed better, airports, we have performed better, interchanges, we have performed better,” he noted.