Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has revealed his intentions to enhance the involvement of traditional chiefs in the mining licensing process if he emerges victorious in the upcoming presidential elections.
During his campaign tour in the Western Region, Dr. Bawumia addressed the Western Regional House of Chiefs and emphasized the significance of Chiefs in decision-making related to mineral resources and their impact on local communities.
He proposed an amendment to incorporate Chiefs into the mineral licensing process as part of his broader mining industry formalization program. This move aims to ensure that Chiefs play a substantial role in the licensing of miners and foster greater collaboration between the government, mining companies, and local communities.
Dr. Bawumia highlighted the need for a more inclusive approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders, particularly Chiefs who represent the interests of their communities. He stated, “We want to formalize small-scale mining, but we cannot be successful without the participation of Chiefs. The chiefs have to be part of the licensing of miners in their locality.”
In addition, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the decentralization of the Mineral Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency to various districts to improve the mining sector’s efficiency and ensure Chiefs’ active involvement in the licensing process.
Overall, Dr. Bawumia’s proposed amendment seeks to create a framework that values the input of Chiefs and promotes sustainable mining practices that benefit local communities.
