President of Concerned Small-Scale miners optimistic about NDC’s pledge to decentralise licensing regime

President of the National Association of Concerned Small-Scale Miners of Ghana, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, has assured miners across the country of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) commitment towards encouraging sustainable small-scale mining.The NDC's campaign in Mankranso and Atwima Nwabiagya districts of the Ashanti Region sought to engage small-scale miners on the party's manifesto, particularly in addressing the challenges surrounding licensing and documentation in the sector.Michael Kwadwo Peprah whiles addressing the miners highlighted the ongoing difficulties faced by small-scale miners in obtaining the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally.He pointed out that, many miners, despite following the correct procedures, still struggle with acquiring the required documentation, leading to frustration within the industry."The main issue is licensing and documentation.

We know that a lot of miners are doing the right thing but don't have the documents to prove it.

Currently, obtaining a license often means traveling all the way to Accra, which is a significant burden for many," Peprah said.He endorsed the NDC's manifesto, which proposes decentralizing the mining licensing process.

The party plans to allow miners to obtain licenses at the district level, eliminating the need for long-distance trips to Accra.This change, according to Kwadwo Peprah, will make the licensing process more accessible for small-scale miners across the country."The NDC promises to bring the licensing process to the district level.