https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230515/ghanas-president-urges-nation-to-fight--existential-threat-of-illegal-mining-1059276873.html
Ghana's President Urges Nation to Fight 'Existential Threat' of Illegal Mining
Ghana's President Urges Nation to Fight 'Existential Threat' of Illegal Mining
Sputnik Africa
Even though Ghana has made major strides in terms of fighting against galamsey, these illegal activities still pose a significant threat to the nation's economic development, said President Akufo-Addo, as cited by local media.
2023-05-15T17:42+0200
2023-05-15T17:42+0200
2023-05-15T20:20+0200
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west africa
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nana akufo-addo
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Although Ghana has made major strides in terms of fighting against galamsey, these illegal activities still pose a significant threat to the nation's economic development, said President Akufo-Addo, as cited by local media. According to the president, who delivered his remarks at the Natural Resource Stakeholders Dialogue held in Accra last week, the fight against illegal mining practices can be crowned with success if each Ghanaian makes their own contribution. He underlined that all people across the nation should be involved in this campaign. The president highlighted the crucial role of national and regional dialogues in addressing illegal small-scale mining, noting that without these discussions, the situation could have been even worse. Initiated by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the dialogues, he noted, have brought about several measures which have helped prevent a more dire situation. However, he acknowledged the need for action, as galamsey still persists despite the progress.The battle against such activity has long been fought in Ghana, one of the continent's largest mining producers of gold. Since 2017, the government has stepped up its efforts to tackle galamsey as the newly elected president promised to put an end to the activity in the country.Galamsey is taking a heavy human as well as environmental and economic toll on the nation. The sites of illegal mining often appear to be scenes of serious accidents, with mines collapsing and killing dozens of people.Earlier this month, the head of the Ghana Forestry Commission, John Allotey, told media that widespread illegal mining activities are destroying the country's forests. According to Allotey, out of 16 regions, seven have been affected by galamsey, with the total area destroyed by illegal mining standing at 4,726 hectares. He added that apart from the adverse effect on the country's forests, this kind of illegal activity also pollutes rivers and creates deep holes in the ground that are hard to rehabilitate.The Natural Resource Stakeholders Dialogue serves as a platform not only for discussions on national actions in the fight against illegal mining, but also on broader issues of the management and utilization of the nation's natural resources. During the event, the president in particular emphasized the importance of effectively harnessing the significant potential of green minerals for the benefit of the nation.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230420/mining-drives-ghanas-2002-q4-economic-growth-despite-crises-1058717651.html
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west africa, ghana, ghana's president nana akufo-addo, mining, galamsey, gold, small-scale illegal mining
west africa, ghana, ghana's president nana akufo-addo, mining, galamsey, gold, small-scale illegal mining
Ghana's President Urges Nation to Fight 'Existential Threat' of Illegal Mining
17:42 15.05.2023 (Updated: 20:20 15.05.2023) Since assuming office in 2017, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has pledged to free the nation of galamsey, the local name for illegal small-scale gold mining. These activities are often associated with deadly mining accidents that frequently occur across the nation, as well as with various detrimental effects on the environment.
Although Ghana has made major strides in terms of fighting against galamsey, these illegal activities still pose a significant threat to the nation's economic development, said President Akufo-Addo, as cited by local media.
“Even though a lot has been achieved in this area between 2017 and 2021, illegal small-scale mining remains a challenge and continues to pose a threat to our very survival. But we cannot rest while these illegalities still persist,” President Akufo-Addo said.
According to the president, who delivered his remarks at the Natural Resource Stakeholders Dialogue held in Accra last week, the fight against illegal mining practices can be crowned with success if each Ghanaian makes their own contribution. He underlined that all people across the nation should be involved in this campaign.
The president highlighted the crucial role of national and regional dialogues in addressing illegal small-scale mining, noting that without these discussions, the situation could have been even worse. Initiated by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the dialogues, he noted, have brought about several measures which have helped prevent a more dire situation. However, he acknowledged the need for action, as galamsey still persists despite the progress.
The battle against such activity has long been fought in Ghana, one of the continent's largest mining
producers of gold. Since 2017, the government has stepped up its efforts to tackle galamsey as the newly elected president promised to put an end to the activity in the country.
Galamsey is taking a heavy human as well as environmental and economic toll on the nation. The sites of illegal mining often appear to be scenes of serious accidents, with mines
collapsing and killing dozens of people.
Earlier this month, the head of the Ghana Forestry Commission, John Allotey, told media that widespread illegal mining activities are destroying the country's
forests. According to Allotey, out of 16 regions, seven have been affected by galamsey, with the total area destroyed by illegal mining standing at 4,726 hectares.
He added that apart from the adverse effect on the country's forests, this kind of illegal activity also pollutes rivers and creates deep holes in the ground that are hard to rehabilitate.
The Natural Resource Stakeholders Dialogue serves as a platform not only for discussions on national actions in the fight against illegal mining, but also on broader issues of the management and utilization of the nation's natural resources.
During the event, the president in particular emphasized the importance of effectively harnessing the significant potential of green minerals for the benefit of the nation.
"Our aim is to exploit and utilize these green minerals in a manner that ensures optimal benefit to the people of Ghana," Akufo-Addo is quoted as saying.
