The government is set to announce new measures to combat illegal mining, or “galamsey,” in Ghana. Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor revealed this during an interview.
According to Jinapor, the government’s recent meeting with Organized Labor was productive, and one of the key actions will be to repeal LI 2462, a law that allows mining in forest reserves.
The government also plans to expedite the trial of offenders and increase the presence of river guards and the navy to patrol waterways.
The minister emphasized that agriculture is the primary driver of deforestation, not mining.
However, the government is committed to addressing the galamsey menace and has been actively implementing measures like Operation Halt.
The upcoming announcement of new interventions is expected to demonstrate the government’s determination to tackle the environmental and economic challenges posed by illegal mining.