Bawumia opens dialogue on small scale mining and deforestation

HE Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on 20th July, 2021 in Tamale opened a regional consultative dialogue on small scale mining and deforestation with a call for national dialogue to avert the looming danger arising from the uncontrolled exploitation of our natural resources.

The dialogue was themed Sustainable Small Scale Mining and Forest Conservation for National Development. This was the Second Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining and Deforestation held in Tamale. The first dialogue was held in Kumasi, following the National Dialogue in Accra, opened by President Akufo-Addo. The focus is Sustainable Small Scale Mining and Forest Conservation for National Development.

He expressed worry about warnings from experts that the nation risks losing its forest cover, as well as the many rivers and streams if negative practices such as illegal mining and indiscriminate wood harvesting and burning are not curtailed.

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for enhanced national dialogue on the sustainable exploitation of Ghanas minerals, forest and wildlife resources. This is to ensure that lives of the living and generations yet unborn are not adversely affected by unregulated Exploitation.
Vice President Bawumia indicated that a lot of livelihoods depend on mining and the exploitation of forest resources as the contribution of the mineral and forest resources to national development agenda cannot be over emphasised.

Dr Bawumia, therefore, called for increased collaboration and engagements with stakeholders, especially those directly affected by such activities, to avert the looming danger.
He said the exploitation of these resources has not been without negative impacts on the natural environment due to the unsustainable practices employed, leading to pollution of water bodies. Dr. Bawumia stated that discussion on sustainable exploitation should be insulated from politics.

Dr. Bawumiah reminded the participants that illegal mining and logging happen within communities, this is why all stakeholders must come on board to address it once and for all.