The uproar about the continuous damages that the activities of illegal small-scale mining have had on Ghana’s water bodies and its arable forest covers continues.
In recent weeks, several groups have poured out onto the streets in protest, hoping that they can mount pressure on the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to put a stop to the galamsey activities across the country.
Among the several calls by people from all walks of life, including religious leaders and even people within the same political party as the president, some have urged the government to place a halt on the issuance of mining licenses to people.
The expectation has been that with such a move, they will be able to properly deal with the existing challenge first before more people join in.
This request, however, has seemed to have gone unnoticed after the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, released a list of the newest batch of companies granted the greenlights to proceed to mine.
The list, obtained from the official website of the Ghana Mining Repository of the Minerals Commission of Ghana, shows that the 11 companies were granted their leases only a few days ago.
As the MP put it, the approvals were made on the same day President Nana Akufo-Addo met with Organised Labour to plead with them not to proceed on a planned strike from October 10.
“You have not seen the worst. Let me reveal to you this morning to my shock, and I’m sure many Ghanaians will be shocked this morning, particularly the Organised Labour, to my shock, whiles the president was meeting with Organised Labour, that same day would you believe that new licenses were being issued for these companies to start mining? That same 3rd of October, two days ago, 11 new licenses to companies. Shocking!” he stated in an interview.
It is worth mentioning that some young protesters who hit the streets on September 22 to protest against the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies, led by Democracy Hub, were arrested and have since been remanded in police custody for 2 weeks.
They are due to re-appear at the Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday, October 8, 20-2024.
So, what are these new companies that have been granted these approvals? Here is the list:
1. Rich Land Mining and Trading Enterprise
2. Confidence Mining Enterprise
3. Gradey Mining Enterprise
4. Adjoebia Mining Enterprise
5. Tekyi Miresu Mining Enterprise
6. Precious Awudu Mining Enterprise
7. Internation Mining Enterprise
8. Adjoebia Mining Enterprise
9. Tekyi Miresu Mining Enterprise
10. Osagyefo Aba Mining and Trading Enterprise
11. Adikanfo Titifou Mining and Trading Enterprise
See the image of the list below:
