By Regina Benneh
Kumasi (Ash), Sept. 19, GNA – Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has called on journalists to highlight the critical challenges facing the mining sector.
He said journalists played a critical role in shaping the nation’s narrative, particularly in the mining sector, and it was time for them to go beyond sensational headlines and delve deeper into the complexities of mining policy, economic benefits, challenges and innovative solutions.
Mr Dwumfuor made the call at a two-day workshop, jointly organised GJA and the Ghana Chamber of Mine, to educate selected journalists across the country on mining-related issues.
He highlighted the devastating effects of illegal mining (galamsey), which posed a significant threat to national security, causing environmental degradation, and fueling social conflicts in communities.
Mr Dwumfour noted that chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, birth deformities, and kidney failure, had been linked to galamsey and the use of harmful chemicals.
The lack of political will from successive governments to effectively address the issue had caused significant harm to Ghana, with several water bodies destroyed through illegal mining activities, he said
The GJA President called on journalists to be relentless in their pursuit of truth, shedding light on the dark areas of mining, including exploitation of local communities and loopholes in regulatory frameworks.
He emphasised that incisive reporting could lead to policy shifts, ensuring better and more responsible extraction of mineral resources for national development.
He stated that journalists had a huge role to play in pushing duty bearers to root out illegal mining and ensuring that revenues earned from mining were used judiciously for the benefit of the people, who were the real owners of the nation’s minerals.
Mr Dwumfour expressed gratitude to the Ghana Chamber of Mines for the collaboration and commitment towards building the skills of journalists across the country on mining issues, saying this was deeply appreciated and the GJA looked forward to continuing the partnership.
The GJA President emphasised the importance of capacity building for journalists, which would enable them to effectively discharge their duties and hold the powerful accountable.
He acknowledged capacity building as one of the cardinal mandate of the Association, since it believed that “a well-equipped journalist was a powerful journalist,” saying the GJA would continue to seek opportunities to enhance the knowledge, skills, and welfare of its members across the country.
Mr Dwumfour requested the Chamber to extend the training to other parts of the country, particularly regions deeply affected by mining activities, as they also needed this critical knowledge for effective reportage, to tell the true stories that needed to be told to transform the nation.
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines stated that, mining was about sustainability and stressed the need for the mining sector to contribute to sustainable development of Ghana and go beyond just generating revenue.
He solicited the support of the media to optimise the inherent value of the mining sector for the benefit of Ghanaians, saying the sector must pursue balanced returns that maximised state benefits, while sustaining investments.
Dr Ashigbey emphasised that mining should be a catalyst for enhancing local content and integrating the sector into the non-mineral economy.
The CEO noted that, while direct fiscal contributions were important, the sector’s impact should extend beyond that and encouraged stakeholders to focus on harnessing the full benefits of mining, including sustainable development and local economic growth.
Dr Ashigbey appealed to the media to support the sector’s efforts in promoting sustainable mining practices and highlighting its contributions to national development, noting that, by working together, the mining sector could make a positive impact on Ghana’s economy and communities.
He affirmed the Chamber’s commitment towards ensuring that the mining sector contributed to the country’s development in a sustainable and responsible manner.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo