President John Dramani Mahama has declared the menace of illegal mining (galamsey) in the country as a national emergency due to its severe environmental, social, and economic consequences.
The President made the declaration in his remarks at Juaboso at a durbar of the Chiefs and People of the Western North Region during his Thank You Tour of the Region.
The nationwide Thank You Tour is to enable the President express gratitude to Ghanaians for their massive support for him during the 2024 general election.
“Our forests, rivers and green belts are national treasures. But we are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadiaso, and Sewfi Ahwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. I must be honest, this is a national emergency,” President Mahama said.
He noted that the National Task Force would continue its efforts to halt illegal mining in the nation’s forest reserves and water bodies.
“I have also noted the activities of illegal anti-Galamsey task forces that go around extorting money from legitimate small-scale mining companies,” he said.
“I have requested that the authorities arrest and prosecute any individuals involved in this illegal anti-Galamsey activity.”
The President said in addition, they were establishing a forward operating base of the Ghana Armed Forces in Punikrom, as requested by the Chiefs of the Western North Region, to respond swiftly to security threats and border-related crimes.
He reiterated that peace was a precondition for development.
GNA