President Nana Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his dedication to putting an end to illegal small-scale mining, colloquially referred to in Ghana as ‘galamsey.’
On Monday, May 3, 2021, during an interview with CNN’s Zain’s Exchange, the President claimed that his government has reintroduced steps to combat galamsey, which is wreaking havoc on the country’s water sources and atmosphere.
He emphasized that he and his government would work with the military to eradicate the danger.
“We are determined to confront it. Indeed, I have ordered major operations this week; the Armed Forces are to clear our rivers of all equipment and machinery that is wreaking havoc on and polluting our atmosphere and waters.”
“As a result, we’re taking some really good steps to try to deal with it,” he said.
The government recently reaffirmed its pledge to combat illegal mining during a National Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining, during which stakeholders urged the government to take action to ensure that the country’s mining laws are strictly enforced.
This has resulted in several steps being done in that direction.
The government has requested that all prospecting operations in forest reserves around the world be suspended indefinitely.
Additionally, it ordered the Minerals Commission to refrain from processing or issuing requests for prospecting license renewals in forest reserves.
The President sent 200 military troops last week to wipe out illegal miners wreaking havoc on the country’s water bodies.
Read Also: Chief of Defence Staff commends troops for removing illegal miners off River Pra
SOURCE: ATLFMONLINE
