Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defence, has stated that there is hope in Ghana’s galamsey fight.
The Defence Minister revealed that there is hope for Ghana’s galamsey fight as there is a political will at the very top to fight it.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, July 21, Dr Omane Boamah stated, “The Ghana Armed Forces has played a supporting role in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey). We are not out of the woods yet as a nation, but there is hope because there is a political will at the very top”.
“We have reviewed the fight against illegal mining and have worked with stakeholders to reform the fight. The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat is a product of the review of such an exercise,” he added.
The Defence Minister further praised the Ghana Armed Forces for recovering some of Ghana’s forest reserves from galamseyers.
He added, “The recovery of several forest reserves early this year, which our forest guards could not venture was led by the Ghana Armed Forces”
“Additionally, the navy supported land forces in Operation Halt 2 to combat illegal mining along the River Ankobra in the Western and Western North Regions,” he said.
UTAG threatens strike action over galamsey
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has told President John Dramani Mahama to fulfil his pre-election galamsey pledges.
UTAG, in a statement released on Thursday, July 17, threatened to trigger an industrial action if John Mahama does not fulfil his pledges.
According to UTAG, the Mahama government lack concrete progress in the fight against galamsey.
UTAG recalled that John Mahama, in opposition before the 2024 election, signed the National Pledge Against Illegal and Irresponsible Mining, which they say he is yet to fulfil.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana highlighted the following: “The immediate public denunciation of galamsey and its environmental harms. A directive for all illegal mining activities to cease, including the evacuation of forest reserves and river bodies. Empowering law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation. Implementation of coherent, practical anti-galamsey policies. And the dismissal of local government officials who permit or protect illegal mining in their jurisdictions”.
UTAG further called on John Mahama to repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 and the declaration of a state of emergency in galamsey-affected areas.
Part of the UTAG statement wrote, “UTAG expects the President to fulfil his pledges with urgency and transparency. If concrete steps are not taken promptly, UTAG will not hesitate to activate all constitutionally permitted avenues—including industrial action—to demand the fulfilment of these national commitments.
“We urge our members and the broader public to remain vigilant and united in protecting our environment for future generations. The time for rhetoric is over; the time for action is now”.
Meanwhile, UTAG noted the Attorney General’s directive to EOCO to investigate NDC members alleged to be involved in galamsey and also the Prof Frimpong Boateng report on galamsey.
UTAG asserted that significant and coordinated action is needed to eradicate the galamsey menace in the country permanently.
