President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has disclosed that the government will commission three Community Mining Schemes as part of efforts to fight against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The President who was addressing the Nation on the floor of Parliament yesterday, gave the assurance that his government will continue the fight against galamsey with the support of the security agencies, in the short-term.
He added, “However, we are determined to promote responsible small-scale mining through Community Mining Schemes. So far, 16 of these Schemes have been commissioned, with three more to be commissioned by the end of this year. All these Schemes are supported with Gold Katchas, pieces of equipment designed to help small-scale miners to extract gold from the ore without the use of mercury”
The President also noted that in 2021, he launched the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme which has so far employed several youth in the production of seedlings and reclamation of degraded mined lands.
He continued that reclamation is ongoing with over one thousand hectares (1,000ha) of degraded lands in Ashanti, Eastern and Western North Regions reclaimed.
Presidfent Akufo-Addo in his concluding statements urged Ghanaians to believe in themselves, and in their capacity to overcome the problems that are before the country.
He encouraged “This is a phase, and, with every fibre of my being, I am certain that this too shall pass. We have done it before, and we will do it again”.
Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the State Of the Nation’s Address, (SONA) the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor expressed his joy on the fact that the President did not pretend to the needs and difficulties of Ghanaians but faced the realities of the times.
He said “By and large we have a government that is on top of issues and not so long in the future, government will fix the situation and take the country back to the days of economic growth and development.”
The SONA is in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 constitution which states that the President shall deliver a message on the State of the Nation to Parliament at the Start of each session and before the dissolution of Parliament.