By King Amoah
The Aspiring Ashanti regioàl Organizer of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM) Mr Alexander Kwaku Oppong has urged the government to prioritise land reclamation when tackling illegal mining activites rather than focusing solely on burning or seizing mining equipment.
He insisted that government needs to put push pressure on illegal minerss who are caught to reclaim the lands that they have destroyed before they are set free from their sites.
This is because the abandoned pits pose serious risks to communities.
It is unfortunate that illegal mining operators are often chased away without being made to reclaim the land, the aspirant observed.
Adding that these abandoned sites can become dangerous death traps.
Mr Alexabder Oppong contended that the government sometimes spends significant sums of money to reclaim degraded lands while other sites remain untouched.
Withbsuch such development he pledged tbat if he is elected, he would encourage responsible mining and promote reclamation among members.
He also urged miners who are not part of GNASSM to join the association, saying that membership withbthe Associstion can help support the regulations of their activities.
