John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has unveiled a series of stringent reforms for Ghana’s mining sector as part of the party’s 2024 manifesto.
At the manifesto launch on August 24 in Winneba, Mahama pledged to prohibit new mining leases and activities within forest reserves.
Additionally, Mahama promised to amend the Mineral and Mining Law to enforce harsher penalties for illegal mining in water bodies.
The manifesto outlines further initiatives for the mining sector, including decentralizing regulatory and licensing processes for artisanal miners and establishing Mining Cooperatives across all mining districts.
It also proposes creating a new body, the Ghana Gold Board (GOLDBOD), to oversee small-scale mining operations.
To address environmental concerns, the NDC plans to implement a ‘Tree for Life’ reforestation policy, focusing on planting cocoa, palm, and rubber trees.
The party also aims to launch the Blue Water Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate and revitalize areas and water bodies damaged by illegal mining and transform them into economic and ecological recovery centres.
