As part of efforts to curb the menace of illegal mining in the country, the government in a latest development has set up an ad-hoc ministerial committee to aid the fight.
The mandate of this special committee, a statement from the Ministry of Information revealed, is to engage stakeholders in assessing the measures of the government in addressing the menace.
The 5-member committee formed by President Akufo-Addo is chaired by the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah. Other members of the committee are Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor; Minister for Defense, Hon. Dominic Nitiwul; Minister for Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Hon. Ignatius Baffour Awuah; and the Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar.
This decision comes amidst growing concerns over the escalating environmental, social, health, and economic impact of unregulated mining activities in the country’s water bodies and forest reserves.
Organized labor and some Civil Society Organizations have issued an ultimatum to the government to declare a state of emergency at all galamsey sites by the end of September in order to enhance the fight against the menace.
Failure of the government to meet this demand and many others, the groups say they will embark on a series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike.
Also, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey has also thrown support behind the demands of Organized labor emphasizing the need for a state of emergency to be declared.
The latest group to join the fight is the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA). The traders’ association in a statement told the government that “enough is enough” and hence decisive actions are needed.
It is anticipated the committee’s approach to engaging stakeholders will lead to a strategic shift towards a more inclusive and sustainable method of addressing the issue.
