Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has painted a bleak picture of the devastating impact of illegal mining in the country.
Addressing parliament, the minister revealed over 40 Forest Reserves have been invaded by galamseyers out of which 9 have become inaccessible to officials of the Forestry Commission. The Ellembelle MP however assured measures are being rolled out to fight the canker.
Contributing to the statement, MP for Takoradi and former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah called for a concerted effort in dealing with Galamsey. According to him security officers deployed to fight the menace under the Nana Addo administration eventually became corrupted
Deputy Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources Yusif Sulemana further disclosed government will use the 24-hour economy policy to address illegal mining
MP for Okaikwei Central Patrick Yaw Boamah on his part wondered how the Minister was going to succeed in fighting Galamsey when his colleague MPs from both sides were involved. He prayed for tough skin for the minister
Other MPs took turns to contribute to the statement urging the country to collectively fight the essential threat
Deputy minority Chief Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib charged the house to eschew partisan politics in the quest to fight illegal mining
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga on his part announced the Minister had requested for a forum for MPs to explore ways of ending the menace in the constituencies
