The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, has revealed that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will implement a comprehensive pension scheme for miners if he becomes President.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer has forward-thinking plans for the mining sector.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, Mr Duker highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s plans for the mining industry including introducing vocational and skilled training on sustainable mining.
“Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will have a pension scheme for miners when he becomes president. He will introduce vocational and skilled training on sustainable mining, ensuring that small-scale miners register under an association that coordinates their activities with central government support,” he said.
Mr Duker emphasized the need for a strategic approach to mining.
“We need to have a planned pool for miners. If mining should stop, we must stop exporting raw gold. We need to refine it and expand the base to employ more people. By collaborating with the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), we can establish a refinery for value addition” he stated.
The Deputy Minister underscored the readiness of Dr Bawumia to address the needs of miners should he win the election.
“Bawumia is ready to take care of the needs of miners. If Mahama had any ideas for miners, he would have done it when he was President. Illegal mining was worst during Mahama’s regime, but since we came to power, we continuously engage the miners” Mr. Duker added.
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