Nyinahin: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has reiterated his commitment to promoting sustainable mining practices by establishing a Minerals Development Bank. This initiative aims to provide funding to small-scale miners, enabling them to engage in responsible and environmentally friendly mining activities across Ghana. According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Bawumia emphasized that the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) would be provided with resources to conduct detailed geological investigations in designated areas nationwide. This measure is intended to help the GGSA identify mineral-rich areas, particularly gold deposits, to prevent speculative mining practices that have led to landscape destruction and water pollution. The initiative demonstrates Dr Bawumia's determination to combat illegal mining and improve the regulation of small-scale mining operations in the country. He made these remarks during a stakeholders' durbar at Nyinahin in the At wima-Mponua constituency of the Ashanti Region. In addition to his mining policy, Dr Bawumia announced plans to enhance the Western and Eastern railway lines to facilitate the efficient transportation of mineral resources and other goods. He proposed expanding the Tema rail lines to connect Kumasi and the Northern region, while also extending the Kojokrom railway lines to Kumasi for better goods transportation. Discussing agriculture, Dr Bawumia revealed plans to modernize the sector by establishing agriculture mechanization centers in agricultural districts. These centers would provide essential equipment, such as tractors, harvesters, and ploughing machines, to support farmers. Dr Bawumia urged the electorate to vote for him as the next president and to support NPP parliamentary candidates in the upcoming December 7 election, to continue the transformative agenda of the NPP government. He is currently touring constituencies in the Ashanti region, a stronghold of the party, as part of his campaign.