President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced plans to beef up the government’s efforts in dealing with the scourge of illegal gold mining that has generated outcry across the country.
In a series of plans to complement existing strategies, the president says he will deploy additional soldiers to augment the objective to discontinue illegal mining activities.
In the release by Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo directed the Environment Ministry to immediately suspend permits allowing for mining in the country’s forest reserves even as government seek harsher penalties for illegal miners in the courts.
The head of state urged Organised Labour to press all presidential candidates to commit to an agreement aimed at ending galamsey once and for all.
“Following the meeting, the President has, in a letter dated 9th October 2024, and addressed to the leadership of Organised Labour, outlined the following measures to
address their concerns:
- Deployment of Additional Military Personnel: The President has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to intensify the ongoing “Operation Halt”, which aims to curb illegal mining activities. The operation will be
bolstered by the deployment of naval boats on polluted river bodies to ensure the
immediate cessation of all mining activities, legal or illegal, in and around these
water bodies. - Suspension of Mining in Forest Reserves: The President has instructed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to suspend the enforcement of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462), with immediate effect. - Strengthened Prosecution of Illegal Mining Cases: In a bid to enhance legal action against illegal mining activities, four (4) dedicated courts have already been
established. The President has further directed the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to increase the number of courts handling cases related to illegal mining. - Call for a National Pact on Illegal Mining: Government has urged Organised
Labour to encourage all presidential candidates and their political parties to sign a
pact, committing themselves to the fight against illegal mining as part of their election pledge,” Jubilee House said in a statement.
On the basis on his four-point plan, President Akufo-Addo has appealed to labour leaders to call off their strike action set for October 10, 2024.
This decision, government believes, will create a collaborative environment to “ensure the effective combat of the galamsey menace”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
