Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to ending illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Speaking to members of the Ghanaian community in Lagos, Nigeria, the Minister emphasized the need to safeguard Ghana’s environment and natural resources from unlawful exploitation.
Minister Ablakwa reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s strong position on illegal mining, particularly activities taking place in river bodies and forest reserves. “President Mahama has said that he will not tolerate any form of mining in our river bodies or forest reserves,” Ablakwa declared.
To enforce this commitment, the government is set to launch a robust military operation aimed at apprehending illegal miners and bringing them to justice. “In the next few days, we’re going to round people up and prosecute them,” the Minister warned, signaling imminent action against offenders.
He revealed that numerous deportations of foreign nationals involved in illegal mining have already taken place, although these efforts have not been widely publicized. “Already, a lot of deportations have been carried out. We’ve just not been advertising them,” he noted.
Ablakwa also highlighted the challenge posed by repeat offenders who return to restricted areas after being cleared by military forces. He stressed the importance of maintaining surveillance and ensuring that such individuals are dealt with firmly.
The Minister expressed hope that once the government’s measures are fully implemented, water quality in affected areas will significantly improve. “Once we enforce our laws strictly, we’ll see a reduction in water turbidity,” he said.
In a passionate appeal, Ablakwa called on Ghanaians living in Nigeria and abroad to support the government’s initiative. He reassured the diaspora that every necessary step would be taken to protect Ghana’s environment and eliminate illegal mining activities.
This reaffirmation comes at a critical time when the country’s rivers and lands are increasingly under threat from illegal mining operations, often linked to foreign actors.
