Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has promised to involve traditional au­thorities and district assemblies in the licensing of small-scale mining as part of measures to reform the sector.

Additionally, an NPP govern­ment would task the Geological Survey Authority to identify gold-rich areas to curb environmental destruction.

Dr Bawumia announced this at a stakeholders’ durbar at Daboase in the Wassa East District to kick-start his four-day tour of the Western Region.

The stakeholders’ engagement formed part of the NPP flag­bearer’s nationwide community outreach to connect with the people, understand their concerns and share his vision for Ghana’s development.

Dr Bawumia explained that the miming reforms had been designed to harness the latent potential of the sector to boost job creation for about one million people across the country

He said already, the small-scale mining sector was a major contrib­utor to Ghana’s economy, account­ing to 43 per cent of total gold production in 2018, and 36 per cent in 2019, stressing that, “the next NPP government would tap into this huge potentials.”

Dr Bawumia said, “When done properly, the small scale mining sector will hold immense signifi­cance for our country’s economic development. In Ghana, small-scale mining accounts for 50 per cent of our gold exports and this underscores its vital role in the economy.”

The Chief of Sekyere Hemang, and acting President of Wassa Fi­ase Traditional Area, Nana Kwadu Kyerefo III, expressed concerns about the poor quality of work done by some party-affiliated road contractors.

The chief urged Dr Bawumia to consider a meritorious and com­petent approach in awarding road contracts, and called on govern­ment to repair the deplorable roads in Wassa East district.

He also urged Dr Bawumia to ensure the completion of stalled projects in the district, particularly the modern market, initiated by for­mer Presi­dent, John Agyekum Ku­fuor, which has been abandoned since 2008.

The Imam of Wassa Atobiase, Mohamme Apagya Suala, praised the NPP for choosing Dr Bawumia as the flagbearer of the party and bringing an honour to the Muslim fraternity.

He appealed to Dr Bawumia to continue with his good works of the NPP and implement policies that would improve standard of living of Ghanaians.

At the Shama, the acting President of Shama Traditional Council, Nana Kwamina Wienu II, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to construct the Shama polyclinic, despite the sod cutting in August 2020, stating that, “this project’s stagnation has left the community without much-needed healthcare infrastruc­ture.”

He said, “We’re deeply concerned about the stalled hos­pital project in our area. Our chiefs generously provided the land, and the sod-cutting ceremony took place in August 2020, but since then, no progress has been made. Despite assurances that funds are available, the project isn’t part of the Agenda 111 initiative.”

Nana Wienu expressed hope that Shama would not face similar situation as the La General Hospi­tal in Accra.

He urged Dr Bawumia to ensure the completion of the project since “The landowners are pressing us to reclaim their property, and we can’t afford further delays.”

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