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Galamsey crackdown: Govt rolls out radical measures; Orders military deployment

Samuel Doe Ablordeppey Oct - 08 - 2024 , 09:57

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced punitive measures against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

These include directing soldiers and other law enforcement agencies to flush out illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves which remain “red zones” to mining activities.

As part of the measures, the President has directed that immediate steps be taken to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L. I. 2462), when Parliament reconvenes this month.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, in an interview with Graphic Online to throw light on the renewed measures, said the soldiers would be deployed as soon as possible.

He added that they would deal ruthlessly with any person or entity found culpable in mining in the red zones, and any equipment being used, such as excavators, would be demobilised or burnt when it became necessary.

Context

The measures follow the President’s meeting with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House last Thursday.

Mr Jinapor said having discussed the long-standing issue of illegal mining, reviewed the situation and the government's effort thus far, it was agreed between the parties that the government would collaborate with Organised Labour and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining.

The government would also ramp up its enforcement measures, particularly as it related to prohibiting illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves, Mr Jinapor said.

“Water bodies and Forest Reserves remain Red Zones for mining, and all forms of mining in water bodies, as well as reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration and/or small-scale mining in Forest Reserves remain banned,” the Lands and Natural Resources Minister stressed.

Mr Jinapor explained that law enforcement agencies had been fully mandated to rid water bodies and forest reserves of all forms of mining, while the Office of the Attorney-General would collaborate with the Chief Justice to ensure swift adjudication of illegal mining cases.

Pact

The minister said the government also supported the call for all presidential candidates to sign a pact committing them to the fight against illegal mining so as to depoliticise the national problem.

“In light of the above, the government is surprised by the decision of Organised Labour to proceed on an industrial action from October 10, 2024,” Mr Jinapor said.

However, he said, the government would continue to engage Organised Labour and other stakeholders in a constructive dialogue in finding solutions for the national menace.

Mr Jinapor reiterated the government’s commitment to the fight against illegal small-scale mining and called on all stakeholders to join the fight.

Background

Last Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Organised Labour served notice to embark on a nationwide strike to back its demand for an outright ban on small-scale mining as a measure to halt the illegal mining menace in the country.

The decision was arrived at after a crunch meeting by the labour unions in Accra, following the expiration of the September 30 deadline given to the President to declare a state of emergency over galamsey.

Organised Labour, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and a host of other institutions and associations have called for an end to the wanton destruction of the environment and water bodies by illegal mining activities.

They have also called for the revocation of LI 2462 in the wake of the devastation of the environment caused by the menace.

This follows the pollution of water bodies with siltation and heavy metals resulting from indiscriminate illegal small-scale mining.