Ashanti Regional Press Corp in Motor Accident; No Fatality

Kumasi, April 17, GNA - A press vehicle in the convoy of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku Manu returning to Kumasi from New Edubiase, capital of Adansi South District, has been involved in an accident. First reports indicate that there was no fatality at the spot, but those, who received serious injuries are being transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, while the others have been treated and discharged at the New Edubiase Government Hospital. More later

Small scale miners appeal for concessions

Takoradi, April 17, GNA - Mr. Abdulai Musah, Chairman of the Prestea Mining Group (PMG), made up of small-scale gold miners, has appealed to government to allocate to it mining concessions in the Western Region to create more jobs and eliminate illegal gold mining popularly known as "galamsey'. He said government in a bid to regularize illegal mining, demarcated lands for artisanal operators but registration of the areas had delayed and discouraged potential small-scale miners from the venture.

Mr. Musah was speaking at a press conference, organized by the group in collaboration with Friends of the Nation, an environmental non-governmental organization (NGO), in Takoradi on Friday. He said the Minerals Commission has failed to conduct surveys to determine economic viability of the demarcated lands as directed by government, resulting in people encroaching concessions of larger mining companies to engage in "galamsey". Mr. Musah said even though large-scale mining companies were unable to utilize all their concessions they did not allow small-scale miners to work there. He also said small-scale miners lack support and faced cumbersome registration procedures and disagreements with mining companies. Mr. Musah appealed to financial institutions to make loans and credit facilities available to small-scale miners. 17 April 09