John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced a significant new initiative aimed at addressing environmental degradation caused by illegal small-scale mining. Speaking to small-scale miners on Tuesday, June 11, Mahama unveiled a programme called the ‘reclamation bond,’ designed to enforce environmentally friendly practices and create employment opportunities.
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The reclamation bond programme will compel small-scale miners to rehabilitate the land they work on before receiving their earnings. “When you work, you save the little that you have. And so, when you are done digging the gold, you cover the pit before you go for your earnings,” Mahama explained. He further clarified, “If you don’t fill the pit, the money will be given to someone else to fill it. It is an arrangement that has been made.”
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This initiative is a direct response to the widespread environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities, which have significantly degraded forest covers across the country. By holding miners accountable for land reclamation, the programme aims to restore these damaged ecosystems and promote sustainable mining practices.
In addition to the reclamation bond, Mahama outlined broader environmental and economic commitments. He emphasized the necessity of revamping the cocoa sector, a critical industry for Ghana’s economy, and ensuring the effective management of the oil and gas sector. “We must do these with posterity in mind,” he stated, underscoring the importance of sustainable development.
Mahama also highlighted the significant contribution of small-scale mining to Ghana’s economy, noting that “more than 40% of gold export is from the small-scale sector, and so we must not downplay its existence.”
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