President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his unwavering commitment to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, during his final State of the Nation Address delivered on Friday,January 3, 2024.
Reflecting on his presidency, he revealed the high political cost of this battle but maintained that it was a necessary sacrifice for the preservation of Ghana’s natural resources.
“When I took the oath of office on January 7, 2017, I pledged to protect our lands and water bodies from the destruction caused by galamsey,”.
“I was prepared to put my presidency on the line in the defense of our environment.
This fight directly led to the loss of many parliamentary seats for the NPP in the 2020 elections, but I have no regrets.”
He highlighted the destructive impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment, stressing that his administration’s stance against galamsey was about safeguarding the nation’s future.
He acknowledged the challenges of confronting powerful vested interests but affirmed his belief that protecting Ghana’s lands, rivers, and forests must take precedence over political convenience.
President Akufo-Addo also spoke about the significant strides made in the mining sector under his leadership.
Ghana has risen to become Africa’s leading gold producer, achieving a record production of 4 million ounces of gold last year.
The revival of dormant mines like Obuasi and Bibiani, as well as the construction of new mining projects, has brought economic benefits to local communities.
the government’s focus on value addition has resulted in the establishment of a 400-kilogram capacity gold refinery in Ghana and the development of a $450 million manganese refinery.
These initiatives aim to ensure that Ghana retains more value from its mineral resources while fostering sustainable practices in the sector.
The President emphasized that the fight against galamsey is not an attack on mining itself but a call for responsible mining practices.
“We must extract our minerals in a way that respects our environment, our people, and our future,” he stated.
“The choices we make today will shape the Ghana of tomorrow. Let us preserve our environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,”.
I was prepared to put my presidency on the line in the defence of our lands and waterbodies. The fight against galamsey led directly to the loss of many parliamentary seats in the NPP – President Akufo-Addo#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/51gp6IuS21
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) January 3, 2025
