President Akufo-Addo has expressed conviction in government’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
According to him, his statements on putting his presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey was neither bombast nor recklessness. He stated that since he took office, he has made it a central feature of his presidency to lead in the efforts to rid the country of galamsey.
The President recounted that although it was an important aspect of his inaugural address, the fight against galamsey has not been easy, “it has not been popular and we have not gotten the immediate results that I was looking for”.
“Indeed, in the last elections of 2020, my stance on the issue cost my party and I significant losses in the mining communities. It turned out that my statements that I was putting my presidency on the line in the fight against galamsey, was neither bombast nor recklessness; it was the simple truth.”
President Akufo-Addo
Addressing the National House of Chief today, October 5, 2022, President Akufo-Addo noted that government has introduced many initiatives, including that of the community mining scheme. He underscored that government has also established a new legal regime for dealing with the perpetrators of this phenomenon which has imposed severe sanction of both Ghanaians and foreigners convicted of illegal mining. That notwithstanding, he lamented that the state has still not “won the fight”.
“It is obvious that if we are to win the fight, you and I have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so…”
President Akufo-Addo
President charges chiefs to safeguard lands in the country
President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the chiefs have been for centuries, the custodians and owners of lands of the nation. As such, they, along with government, are responsible for the management of all lands in Ghana.
He opined that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands in the country is the joint responsibility of both government and the chiefs.
“Indeed, 80% of the lands in this country, continue to be under your custody, much of it, having being acquired through the blood of your ancestors. The remainder of 20%, which I hold in trust for the people of Ghana derives from states acquisition from you.”
President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo concerted that by statute, the minerals in the soil belongs to the President in trust for the people and historically, governments have discharged that responsibility well. He highlighted that although for centuries, Ghana has been a mining nation, mining did not pose a threat to the health of the environment and water bodies.
With this, he stated that chiefs in the past were stringent in their administration of lands as the rules that they put in place for mining ensured that the sanctity of the lands remained intact and water bodies remained unpolluted. Tragically, President Akufo-Addo explained that in the modern era, that is no longer the case.
“That is why I have come to you today, to talk about how together, we can repair this dramatic situation.”
President Akufo-Addo
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