In his bid to water down the swelling dissent against his government, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has assured miners that the crusade against galamsey is to create a win-win situation for them and the state.
There is a nationwide campaign against illegal mining popularly referred to as galamsey following its destructive nature: the environment and water bodies as well as arable lands have been destroyed by illegal miners.
The government led by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is gradually winning the fight to end illegal mining in the country amidst a handful and containable protest.
“We are not fighting to put people out of work by seeking to end galamsey,” President Akufo-Addo pointed out in his address at the 2017 May Day anniversary parade. The day is set aside to recognise the efforts of workers in nation building.
The president conceded that once Ghana is blessed with natural resources, mining will be done in the country. “We hold the land in trust for those yet unborn”, he however cautioned, stating government’s interest to arrange for small scale mining to be “conducted in a sustainable manner”.
Regrettably, the president noted that, persons who engaged in “hazardous and tedious” mining are rather the ones who are cheated by gold dealers.
The establishment of gold refineries is being encouraged to ensure that small scale miners are paid “fair prices” for their find, he said.
He stated, “the sustainable small-scale mining regime we envisage will protect our environment and protect the workers as well.”
President Akufo-Addo was also emphatic that his government will work to eliminate child labour in mining and other sectors of the economy.
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