The government has renewed its fight against illegal mining (galamsey) which has bedeviled the country over the last couple of years.
It follows pressure from Organised Labour and various interest groups including civil society organisations for the government to act swiftly following the pollution of major water bodies and destruction of forest reserves in parts of the country by the illegal miners.
A statement from the Presidency signed by Director of Communications, Eugene Arhin said, “In a demonstration of Government’s commitment to tackling the issue, President Akufo-Addo, through the relevant sector ministers, invited the leadership of Organised Labour to a meeting held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations.”
Following the meeting, it indicated that the President has, in a letter dated October 9, 2024, and addressed to the leadership of Organised Labour, outlined some measures to address their concerns including the deployment of additional military personnel by the Minister for Defence to intensify the ongoing “Operation Halt”, which aims to curb illegal mining activities.
The operation is expected to 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.
The President has also 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.
In a bid to enhance legal action against illegal mining activities, the statement indicated that “four (4) dedicated courts have already been established.”
The President is said to have further directed the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to increase the number of courts handling cases related to illegal mining, whiles urging 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 pledges.
In light of these decisive actions, the President asked Organised Labour to suspend its planned “strike action” on October 10, 2024, and collaborate with government and other stakeholders to effectively combat the galamsey menace.
“President Akufo-Addo remains determined to end illegal mining, and calls on all citizens, political leaders and stakeholders to unite in this critical national effort,” the statement emphasised.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent