President John Dramani Mahama has directed security and forestry enforcement teams tackling illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) to seize excavators rather than burn them, signaling a shift towards a more structured and sustainable approach to combating illegal mining.
The President made this announcement when the leadership of the Christian Council paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 21.
With 43 out of Ghana’s 280 forest reserves already affected by illegal mining, President Mahama acknowledged the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
He stated that operations have begun to clear out illegal miners, citing the recent intervention in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, where enforcement teams removed excavators and other equipment.
However, he ordered a halt to the practice of burning seized excavators, a method that has previously sparked public criticism.
“I’ve told them not to burn the excavators. They should confiscate them,” President Mahama stated.
Instead, the government will roll out a more scientific and technologically efficient approach to mining, ensuring that small-scale mining can be regulated without harming the environment.
President Mahama also highlighted that approximately 1.8 million Ghanaians are engaged in small-scale mining, making it an economic necessity for many. While acknowledging that small-scale mining is legal, he stressed the importance of responsible mining practices to mitigate environmental damage.
To reinforce this initiative, President Mahama announced the formation of a mobile task force to assist the Forestry Commission in preventing illegal miners from returning after evictions.
Additionally, he pledged to engage small-scale miners in discussions aimed at promoting sustainable mining techniques that protect forest reserves and water bodies.
President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to striking a balance between natural resource preservation and economic livelihoods, ensuring that mining contributes to Ghana’s economic growth without destroying the environment.
Police deny neglecting injured officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Source:
3news.com
Source link
