President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his commitment to ending illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He acknowledged that the fight against what many have described as an existential threat is complex and cannot be won within just four months of assuming office.
Speaking at the Independence Square in Accra on May Day, the President assured that state agencies involved in the campaign would continue working until the menace is completely eradicated.
“The fight against galamsey is a complex one, and when I was vying for the presidency, I did not kid myself that I would win that fight in four months. Yet, we will not give up.
“Our gallant men of the armed forces and security services are up to the fight and will continue to score successes against the selfish companies and individuals who are destroying our forests and polluting our water bodies. As far as the fight against galamsey is concerned, I say, aluta continua,” President Mahama said.
The fight against galamsey has been a longstanding one, with many lamenting what they see as a lack of political will to tackle the menace, citing the failure to declare a state of emergency and repeal LI 2462.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has disclosed that plans are underway to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462 — officially known as the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022.
He explained that although the government initially considered amending the LI to remove the President’s power to grant mining concessions in forest reserves, it has now resolved to scrap the law entirely.
According to Sammy Gyamfi, who also serves as the National Communications Officer of the NDC, the earlier hesitation to repeal the law was due to concerns that doing so could create a legal vacuum.
However, speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV on Wednesday, April 23, he said the government has now embraced calls from stakeholders who view the law as “poisonous” and are pushing for a total repeal.
