Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister in charge of Government Communications has revealed that 71 illegal miners have been arrested with over 150 excavators, bulldozers, vehicles, and weapons confiscated.
The minister highlighted the John Mahama administration is committed to ending the galamsey menace.
At the World Press Freedom Day event organised by the German Embassy and the UK High Commission in Accra, Kwakye Ofosu addressed diplomats, journalists, and stakeholders, he revealed, “As of the last brief that we got, 71 illegal miners have been arrested. Over 150 excavators, bulldozers, vehicles, and other weapons have been seized so far. Work is ongoing to ensure that the L. I 2462 no longer exists”.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu also added that the government will repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 allowing mining in forest reserves.
It will be recalled John Mahama during his campaign promised to scrap LI 2462 but has now rather sought to amend it which has sparked a strong stance from environmental advocates and civil society organisations, who have voiced disappointment over the Mahama administration’s decision.
At the World Press Freedom Day event organised by the German Embassy and the UK High Commission in Accra, Kwakye Ofosu made this known saying, “There is some legislative action that is currently going on. On March 20, the Minister for Environment laid the L.I. 2462 in Parliament. The intent originally was to amend it and take away the power of the president to grant licenses in forest reserves.
“But the new thinking is that it should be revoked entirely. So, I have words from the AG that he will push for this once parliament resumes.”
“It is the policy of the government of Ghana that galamsey must be seen as a monumental challenge. So, we treat persons engaged in it the same way we will treat terrorists.
“For that reason, for the past months, we have been in office, we have not relented in addressing it,” he stated.
