I will sack any of my appointees who engages in illegal mining – Mahama

NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has stated without reservation that he will fire any of his appointees who engage in illegal mining (galamsey) if elected President.

Addressing the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, John Mahama said his appointees will focus on their core duty of developing the country and will not engage in galamsey.

Commenting on how he intends to tackle illegal mining, he said he understands that it has become an avenue for party people and top government officials to enrich themselves. He, however, noted that his own will be different.

“It will differ in all forms from the existing community mining scheme, which has undeniably become a conduit for enriching party chairmen, DCEs and other politically connected individuals.

“Indeed, in my government, if you are a minister, a DCE or an official and you undertake mining activity, I will ask you to resign and go and do the mining. You either choose to be a public official or choose to be a businessperson running a mine” he stated.