In a bid to improve and ensure responsible mining in the Prestea Huni valley Municipality, the deputy minister of Lands and Natural resources in charge of mines Hon Mereku Duker Inaugurated local mining committee in the Municipality on Friday 18th day of January,2022 at the Municipal Assembly Hall.
The six member committee is chaired by the Municipal Chief Executive for Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality Hon. Isaac Dasmani (PhD) and Hon. Francis Asmah as Representative from Prestea Huni valley Municipal assembly,Nana Kwesi Somprey as Representative of traditional council,Mr. Moses Kpebu,an official from Environmental Protection Agency(EPA),Mr. Isaac Mwimbelle(inspectorate Division, Minerals Commission of Ghana) and Mr. Bright Arko( District officer, Minerals Commission,Gh.)
Speaking at the event, Hon. Mereku Duker thanked the committee for accepting the mandate and beseeched them to put proper measures in place to ensure responsible mining in the Municipality. He elaborated on Government’s committed in building local responsible small-scale Miners as act 703 of the Minerals Commission doesn’t allow any foreigner to engage in small scale mining. This boosts the country’s economy, pave way for employment and generate revenue for the government.
He also educated them on the need to practice Mercury free mining to safeguard our environment from environmental hazards as a result of mining. As the government has imported mercury free machines to help do away with the use of mercury in mining. The Municipal Chief Executive Hon.Isaac Dasmani (PhD) who doubles as the Chairman of the committee assured Hon. Duker that the committee will work assiduously to support the Government to sanitize the local mining industry to yield benefits for the Municipality and the country at Large.
Nana Kwabena Amponsah IV, the chief of Bosomtwe extolled the Municipal Chief Executive and the works department of the assembly for their commitment towards the Construction of Huni valley Markets, a project they inspected after the inauguration. He entreated contractors to do quality work whenever contract I’d being awarded to them.
At the event were the Deputy minister of Lands and Natural resources Hon.Mireku Duker, Hon. Isaac Dasmani, (MCE for Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality), Nana Kwesi Somprey (Divisional chief, Bogoso) Hon Francis Asmah (Presiding member, Prestea Huni Valley Municipality), officials from the Minerals Commission and the Municipal assembly.
Story by Matilda Ansah