The Vice President, Prof. Naa Jane Opoku Agyemang, has urged members of Parliament (MPs) to support the efforts of the government in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
She made the call at the Parliamentarians’ conference on restoring a culture of proper small-scale mining in Ghana on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang referred to the MPs as the direct representatives of their people and knows those who are perpetuating this crime against the country; hence, the need for them to support the fight to fish the illegal miners out.
In her view, there was the need for a multi-stakeholder approach because it is critical to curbing the galamsey activities.
According to her, the government cannot succeed without the support of stakeholders, including the MPs.
Speaking at the same event, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah assured Ghanaians that the government is determined to win the fight.
He disclosed that the Ministry will work in collaboration with the Defence Ministry and other security agencies to win the fight.
The Ministry claimed that he has taken immediate steps to address the crisis through a systematic sustained, well-thought-out, and all-inclusive approach, which includes:
- Strengthening enforcement efforts:. have intensified collaboration with security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining operations and arrest perpetrators – we have, in the last couple of weeks, apprehended some Foreign and Ghanaians involved in these acts, and they are going to be prosecuted duly
- Stakeholder engagements: We are on a quest to actively undertake broad stakeholder engagements with Chiefs, Media and youth groups– and today’s event is one of such.
- Reviewing licensing regime: We are expeditiously reviewing the licensing regime to ensure a streamlined process so that only those who meet the legal and environmental requirements are granted permits. We are proposing a local permitting and policing unit by expanding DISEC membership to include EPA, Forestry, Water Resources and Minerals Commission with reps from the traditional authorities. A comprehensive review of the Community Mining Policy is also being developed to enhance transparency and ensure that ownership remains with the Community members.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
