By Iddi Yire
Accra, March 04, GNA – The National Concerned Association of Small-Scale Miners, Ghana (NCSSMAG) has thrown its weight behind the decision of the Mahama Government to establish a Gold Board (Goldbod) to regulate the trading of gold from small-scale miners.
A statement issued by Mr Michael Kwadwo Peprah, President NCSSMAG, copied to the Ghana News Agency said this initiative was long overdue and would ensure fair pricing, eliminate exploitation by foreign buyers and optimize national benefits from the small-scale mining sector if implemented.
It said the transparent and broad consultative approach adopted by the Sammy Gyamfi-led GOLDBOD Technical Committee so far was highly commendable.
“For us in the NCSSMAG, it is refreshing to see that our suggestion for a well-structured gold trading sector is being prioritized by the new Mahama Government,” the statement said.
“Even more exciting is the proposal by Government to use the GOLDBOD as a vehicle to support small-scale miners through geological investigations, concession viability, equipment financing, sustainable environmental management, concessional financing and other corporate social responsibility projects in mining communities.”
The statement noted that this was surely the game-changer that we the small-scale miners of this country need.
It said while the law permits the Precious Minerals Marketing Company Limited (PMMC) to buy gold from small-scale miners, inadequate Government funding had prevented the Company from competing effectively in the market.
It said as a result, miners had been forced to rely on foreign buyers, leading to revenue losses for both miners and the state.
It said the emergence of multiple state agencies in the local gold market had not helped either.
The statement said it was therefore imperative for the Mahama Government and Parliament to allocate adequate resources to the proposed Gold Board to ensure a well-structured gold market for small-scale miners.
It said at a time of economic crises, the Goldbod was Ghana’s surest way of generating significant foreign exchange to stabilize the Ghana cedi for economic revitalization.
“We therefore call on the Government to expedite the processes for the establishment of the GOLDBOD as a matter of urgency,” the statement said.
“It is our fervent hope that this noble agenda will be supported by all stakeholders in the supreme interest of our dear nation.”
GNA