The NPP's flagbearer for the 2024 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has unveiled a policy shift in the New Patriotic Party’s approach to tackling illegal mining, or galamsey, in Ghana.

Addressing a gathering of NPP supporters during a health walk in Kwahu, Eastern Region, on Saturday, March 30, 2024, Dr Bawumia declared that confiscated excavators would no longer be subjected to incineration under his potential administration.

While commending the NPP's efforts in combating galamsey over the past seven years, he acknowledged the imperative for a fresh strategy to combat the issue.

Dr Bawumia pledged to introduce a revamped approach aimed at curbing illegal mining while preserving seized equipment, notably excavators.

He outlined plans to establish a mineral development bank to support small-scale miners financially.

“We are going to help small-scale miners; we will introduce a mineral development bank to get money for them. There is a new regime for small-scale miners. We will not burn your seized excavators,” he said.

Additionally, he noted: “Jobs, we have performed better, agricultural growth, we have performed better, Zongo development, we have performed better, roads, we have performed better, airports, we have performed better, interchanges, we have performed better".

Moreover, Dr Bawumia emphasised the NPP government's achievements under President Akufo-Addo's leadership, asserting superiority over the previous Mahama administration across various economic indicators, including job creation, agricultural growth, infrastructure development, and airport and road construction.