President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has restated his resolve to end illegal mining in Ghana, also known as galamsey.
He revealed that no government in Ghana’s history has engaged in a more severe galamsey fight than his.
He announced this at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, at the beginning of a four-day tour of the Ashanti region.
He stated that the latest galamsey outbreak demonstrates the importance Ghanaians place on the matter.
He claims that, “We are here to eradicate galamsey and surely, it would be eradicated…No government has shown that resilience in the fight against galamsey.”
“One issue that has generated negative public criticism is galamsey. Though it attracted less public discussion before my tenure, it is the talk of the town, even among traditional leaders.
“This means the issue is common and calls for all hands on deck to bring it to an end, he stated.
Previously, the President stated that he was being truthful when he declared his intention to eliminate galamsey in 2017.
He revealed that his struggle against the threat five years ago cost him and the NPP “major losses in mining communities” during the 2020 election.
Galamsey is severely condemned in Ghana for its negative environmental repercussions, which many say exceed any potential economic or cultural benefits.
The practice of galamsey activities contributes significantly to the local economies of the communities in which they are carried out.
The number of galamseyers in Ghana is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 20,000 and 50,000, with thousands coming from China.
Unemployment among Ghana’s youth is the leading cause of galamsey.
