News
Martin Ayisi Justifies Issuance of New Licenses To Small-Scale Miners
The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Ayisi has justified the need for the issuance of licenses to Small Scale Miners despite calls by well-meaning Ghanaians on the government to stop all forms of small-scale and illegal mining.
The Minerals Commission’s boss made the statement when he appeared before the Assurances Committee of Parliament to respond to his outfit’s role in the issuance of mining licenses to small-scale miners, the upsurge in illegal mining as well as measures geared towards curtailing the menace in the country.
Mr. Ayisi opined that a move to stop issuing licenses to small-scale miners would worsen the situation, adding that delayed license issuance has been a major contributing factor to the illegal mining crisis.
He said, “When you don’t give them the licenses, what they would do is that they will go and do it illegally.” “To say we shouldn’t grant licenses that will be a problem.”
Additionally, he stated that in 2018 when the government placed a complete ban on small-scale mining, Ghana recorded 48% of small-scale production in the history of the country where Ghana toppled South Africa.
He explained that, for one to obtain a license or authorization for small-scale mining, one must go through the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission among others, and stressed that failure to obtain licenses from any amounts to illegal mining.
He indicated that as a regulator, the Commission is mandated to conduct site inspections and report to the District Assemblies for the Regional Security Council to deploy security to arrest the illegal miners.
“The solution to illegal mining is by investing millions of dollars into Geological Surveys Authority, the government explorers.”
He told the committee that anybody who mines in any river body, or forest reserves is engaged in criminal activity emphasizing that, the Commission will not issue a license to anybody to pollute and degrade the forest.
However, the Chairman of the Assurance Committee and MP for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised issues from an alleged report where a small-scale mining firm called Akonta Mines Limited has breached the mining law by destroying the Samraboi concession.
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
News
Bagbin lifts suspension of four MPs
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were suspended after a clash during the vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The altercation occurred between Minority and Majority MPs, escalating tensions in Parliament. The disagreement reached a peak after the suspension of the four MPs, triggering a debate over whether the vetting should proceed on January 31, 2025.
Following the suspension, the Minority MPs walked out, leaving only the Majority to continue with the vetting of nominees, including that of MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who had already undergone several hours of questioning by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The lifting of the suspension comes after a review of the incident. The four MPs – Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib and Alhassan Tampuli – are now expected to resume their parliamentary duties as normal. The move seeks to restore order in Parliament following the disruptions.
This was after both the majority leader and minority leader appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to lift the ban on the four MPs.
Alban Bagbin said, “So I have lifted the suspension order. I do so instantly and takes effect immediately. The affected Hon. Members are permitted now to enter the precincts of the house. I must say they actually complied with the orders.”
He assured that the investigations will continue, and the House will have the opportunity to make a decision.
He commended the security agencies for their support.
Source : Citinewsroom.com
