GJA President urges responsible, sustainable mining

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called for a more balanced perspective on Ghana's mining industry. Speaking at the National Mining Dialogue, he emphasized that the sector's economic contribution must be weighed against its effects on communities, the environment, and future generations.

Dwumfour stressed that journalists have a responsibility to provide a full picture of the mining sector, highlighting both its successes and its challenges. The media's role extends beyond reporting revenue, investment, and employment generated by mining; it should also scrutinize the broader impacts of mineral extraction.

During the event organized by Asempa 94.7 FM and its Ekosiisen programme in partnership with Semmis DS and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Dwumfour warned against relying solely on economic indicators like revenue, foreign exchange earnings, investment, and employment. Instead, a comprehensive assessment must consider who benefits from mining, who bears its costs, and the consequences for communities and the environment after mineral resources are depleted.

He argued that economic contribution alone is not a sufficient measure of a sector's value, and the questions of who benefits and who bears the consequences should be part of the national dialogue on mining's future.

While Dwumfour acknowledged that abandoning mining altogether is neither realistic nor responsible given its importance to Ghana's economy and the country's abundant mineral resources, he stressed that the key question is the type of mining Ghana is willing to accept. He outlined what he believes is an acceptable mining model for the country, emphasizing that it should generate economic value while respecting communities and meeting environmental standards.

An acceptable mining industry, according to Dwumfour, should be built on principles of economic value creation, respect for host communities, strict adherence to environmental requirements, and a clear contribution to national development without leaving future generations with economic debts.