President John Dramani Mahama has pledged full transparency in the fight against illegal mining activities.
He has also encouraged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), activists, and other groups to continue piling the pressure and advocating for the government to take stronger measures to stop the menace.
“I’m determined. We need your support. We need your criticism, your advocacy, your pressure. Continue to put our feet to the fire, and let’s win this fight together. Our great-grandfathers gave us a beautiful country with trees and beautiful rivers, and we should not hand over poisoned water bodies or desecrated forests to our children and great-grandchildren. I want to personally assure you that as President, I will also continue to put pressure on the Minister and other officials in charge to deliver on our promise”, President Mahama stated at an engagement with CSOs on the fight against illegal mining on Friday.
The President, who sounded optimistic, said the government’s core interest, aside from flushing out the illegal miners, is to apprehend the kingpins who are the heavy financiers and to punish them severely to serve as a deterrent.
“I have nothing to hide. I don’t gain anything from galamsey. I am not personally involved in illegal mining, and I have no interest in it, so you can be assured that we are all on the same side”.
The President’s comment follows a detailed presentation by key stakeholders, including the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, the Attorney General, and the Water Resources Commission, on ongoing operations, arrests made, prosecutions and their impact so far.