President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has categorically maintained that Government’s decision to place a ban on illegal mining known in Ghanaian parlance as “Galamsey” will not be rescinded.
The President disclosed this at a media encounter on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the Jubilee house where he said Government is resolute in fighting the menace.
“The ban on galamsey has not and will not be lifted.
“The ban on small-scale was never meant to be permanent. It was to enable Government fashion a policy to sanitize the sector and ensure that small-scale mining doesn’t damage our environment,” President Akufo-Addo explained.
According to him, he will continuously endeavour to get rid of the menace, and called on all Ghanaians to help with that agenda.
“I cannot, and will not give up on the fight to protect our environment. I entreat the media and all well-intentioned Ghanaians to continue to join the fight to protect our lands and water bodies.”
The NPP Government upon assumption of office embarked on getting rid of illegal mining which has become a menace destroying water resources in the country.
As a result, an indefinite ban was placed on the activity by the then Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu in early 2017.
The government embarked on a strong campaign together with the media and other well meaning Ghanaians to fight illegal mining.
A joint military and police force, Operation Vanguard, was constituted to ensure that mining activities are not carried out.
However, after intense engagement with stakeholders, on Monday, December 17, Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, Professor Frimpong Boateng some Small Scale Miners have now been certified to resume mining activities.
Read:Gov’t finally lifts ban on small-scale mining
By Irene Amesimeku| 3news.com| Ghana