GJA President urges responsible, sustainable mining

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has emphasized the need for a more balanced perspective on Ghana’s mining industry. Speaking at the National Mining Dialogue, he argued that the sector’s economic contributions should be weighed against its impacts on communities, the environment, and future generations.

Dwumfour stressed that journalists have a crucial role in presenting a complete picture of mining, not just its financial benefits and job creation. He urged the media to scrutinize the broader consequences of mineral extraction. The GJA president cautioned against relying solely on economic indicators like revenue and employment, stating that a thorough assessment must also consider who benefits, who bears the costs, and what happens to communities and the environment post-mining.

He highlighted that while mining is vital to Ghana’s economy, simply discontinuing it is neither feasible nor responsible. Instead, the focus should be on the kind of mining Ghana is willing to accept. Dwumfour outlined the characteristics of responsible mining, advocating for models that generate economic value while respecting communities and adhering to environmental standards.

He called for mining that creates economic value, protects communities, meets environmental regulations, and contributes to national development without imposing burdens on future generations.