“If you are a minister, a DCE or an official and you undertake mining activity, I will ask you to resign” – Mahama

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has stated unequivocally that he will not think twice to force any of his appointees who are engaged in mining operations to resign from their jobs if he is elected president in the approaching December elections.

Speaking at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani for the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on small-scale mining, Mr. Mahama emphasized that his appointees would be expected to concentrate only on their primary mandate of national development, rather than taking on mining ventures.

Mr. Mahama made it very clear that during his government, none of his appointees would be permitted to engage in galamsey, or illicit mining.

Mahama detailed plans to create a sustainable mining strategy in each mining community as part of his commitment to overhaul the mining industry.

With the goal of properly regulating mining operations across the nation, this plan would heavily include traditional leadership in the licensing process.

Moreover, Mr. Mahama suggested allowing people to become public servants or to start their own businesses in place of having government jobs and mining jobs concurrently.

“It will differ in all forms from the existing community mining scheme, which has undeniably become a conduit for enriching party chairmen, DCEs and other politically connected individuals.

“Indeed, in my government, if you are a minister, a DCE or an official and you undertake mining activity, I will ask you to resign and go and do the mining. You either choose to be a public official or choose to be a businessperson running a mine,” Mahama stated.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com