Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the anti-galamsey task force to confiscate, rather than burn, excavators used in illegal mining activities within the nation's forest reserves. This decision was announced during a courtesy call on him by Reverend Dr. Hilliard Dela Dogbe, the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, at the seat of government in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the visit was intended to congratulate President Mahama on his victory in the December 7, 2024, general election. The delegation raised the issue of galamsey during their meeting with the President, urging him to take decisive action against it. President Mahama acknowledged the severity of the issue, highlighting that approximately 1.8 million Ghanaians are involved in small-scale mining, which presents significant challenges related to employment and displacement.
President Mahama emphasized that while small-scale mining is legal and recognized by national laws, it must be conducted responsibly and sustainably. He noted that out of the country's 280 forest reserves, about 43 are affected by galamsey activities. The anti-galamsey task force's recent operation in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve resulted in the confiscation of excavators used in illegal mining. The task force plans to extend its efforts to other forest reserves to combat the galamsey menace effectively.
President Mahama stated, "I've told them not to burn the excavators, they should confiscate them." He also mentioned the presence of a mobile team to report galamsey activities, allowing the task force to support the Forestry Commission in addressing the situation swiftly. Additionally, the government plans to organize a conference on the small-scale mining sector to explore sustainable practices.
The President expressed gratitude to the Christian Council of Ghana for their visit and emphasized the importance of engaging with new technologies for sustainable mining. He explained a method involving leach dams lined with plastic, where gold water is treated with cleaning agents to remove toxins before being discharged back into the environment. The government aims to introduce these technologies to enhance sustainable mining practices.
President Mahama also discussed the economic challenges facing the nation, noting that his administration is working to address these issues transparently. He expressed a commitment to honesty in leadership and invited the Christian Council to participate in the National Economic Dialogue to understand the real state of the nation's economy.
The President assured that the government would not compete with churches by building hospitals in areas with mission hospitals. Instead, resources would be used to improve existing mission hospitals. He affirmed his openness to ongoing dialogue with the Christian Council of Ghana on national issues.
Reverend Dr. Hilliard Dela Dogbe, on behalf of the Council, pledged support for the government's efforts to combat illegal mining, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the galamsey crisis for the nation's well-being.