US-based Ghanaian mining engineer, Dr. Solomon Owusu, is putting himself up to support President John Mahama in the government’s quest to tackle illegal mining activities in Ghana.
Illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey”, continues to pose a significant challenge in Ghana, prompting the new government to prioritize fighting the menace to safeguard forest reserves and water bodies.
In an interview with Nhyira FM’s Nana Jantuah on the “Kuro Yi Mu Nsem” show, Dr. Owusu stated that he did not want any appointment from the President, but rather the mandate to help eradicate illegal mining in Ghana.
“I don’t want to be a minister, I don’t want to be a CEO, I just want to be a private person and help. I just need the mandate from the president,” he stated.
Dr. Solomon Owusu stated that he knows the President has galamsey issues at heart, hence the inclusion in his first 120 contract with Ghanaians.
He believes it is possible to practice safe mining in Ghana.
“America also practices mining, I practice gold mining in America. The US is the 5th gold producing country in the world, Ghana is number 6 but the number 1 gold producer in Africa, so we can do it. They will work without destroying land and water,” noted Dr. Owusu.
He further explained that foreigners can partake in large scale mining, while reserving the small scale sector for only Ghanaians, in reference to Section 83 of the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703.
According to him, if the Chinese can be prosecuted for mining in Ghana, then Ghanaians should be prosecuted as well.
“If a Chinese is mining on your land, you’ve broken laws and you can go to jail for that. In our laws, you can’t transfer your mining license to a foreigner but rather a Ghanaian, so who gave the Chinese mining licenses to be Mining in Ghana? So, if the Chinese is prosecuted and jailed, the Ghanaian should also be jailed,” he stated.
The mining engineer urged Ghanaians to put aside party affiliation and support President Mahama to successfully lead the country.