President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to combating illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, during a Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region. The President emphasized that his administration is actively pursuing measures to reclaim forest reserves and other environmentally sensitive areas impacted by this illicit activity, a renewed effort initiated by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
According to President Mahama, NAIMOS has significantly intensified its operations, resulting in substantial progress in reclaiming areas previously occupied by illegal miners. He stated that the seizure of excavators and Changfang machines has been a key component of this strategy, with the government successfully removing hundreds of miners from nearly 49 forest reserves. He highlighted that after initial clearing efforts, the reclaimed areas were handed over to the Forestry Commission, but illegal miners subsequently returned, a challenge exacerbated by the lack of deterrents from forest guards alone.
President Mahama explained that the initial approach – transferring reclaimed areas to the Forestry Commission – proved ineffective, as illegal miners demonstrated a continued resistance to forest guard presence. He subsequently deployed a military detachment to bolster security in the reclaimed areas, resulting in increased costs associated with personnel and logistical support. He stated that the government intends to continue this fight, acknowledging the financial investment required to maintain security deployments in these areas, but stressing that abandoning the effort is not an option.
The President acknowledged the significant financial implications of these security deployments, but stressed that the government would not allow illegal miners to return to areas that had been cleared. Illegal mining remains a major environmental concern in Ghana, characterized by deforestation, water pollution, and difficulties in preventing miners from returning to previously cleared land. The government’s renewed focus on reclamation and security represents a crucial step in addressing this complex challenge and safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources. The government’s strategy relies heavily on the intensified efforts of the NAIMOS, aiming to mitigate the risks associated with continued illegal mining operations.
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Source: Adom Online
