Following a military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana Association of Small-Scale Miners, Adu Gyamfi, has criticised proposals to ban small-scale mining.

He described the calls as “needless” and illogical, arguing that the crash had no connection to the activities of small-scale miners.

In an interview with Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Gyamfi stated that the incident does not warrant a complete ban on mining.

He asserted that miners did not attack the helicopter and that the crash did not occur at a mining site. He likened the calls for a ban to “using medicine meant to treat a bleeding nose to treat pain in the bone.”

Gyamfi believes those proposing the ban are acting out of “pain, grief, and ignorance.”

He criticised leaders for being “ignorant of the reality on the ground,” noting that unemployment drives many people into small-scale mining.

He urged the government to find lasting solutions to the problem rather than engaging in “lip service.”

“Those calling for a ban on small-scale mining following the military helicopter crash are like using medicine meant to treat a bleeding nose to treat pain in the bone. One thing I have observed in Ghana is that the fight against galamsey is not a difficult task, but our approach to fighting it is our challenge,” Gyamfi said.

“Those who have proposed a ban on small-scale mining did so out of pain and grief following the helicopter crash, and also out of ignorance,” he added.

He further stated that the majority of people involved in galamsey do so due to unemployment, and accused leaders of being “ignorant of the reality on the ground.”

“I would first extend our condolences to the bereaved families. But are we saying the helicopter fell into a galamsey pit and crashed? Did galamseyers shoot at the helicopter? Or were the pilot and crew members galamseyers?” he asked.

Gyamfi stressed that, if politicians stop meddling in the fight against galamsey and dedicated, independent personalities are appointed to lead it, the country can win the fight against illegal mining.

He emphasised that licensed small-scale miners have not been granted permits to operate in forest reserves or water bodies and that they have contracted people to prevent others from engaging in illegal mining.

He urged authorities to identify those who have failed in their duties and allowed illegal mining to persist, instead of blaming licensed small-scale miners.