Kwame Jantuah, a stalwart of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and a lawyer, has urged President Akufo-Addo to convene key stakeholders to address the issue of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
Jantuah suggested involving the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as well as former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama in the conversation.
He described galamsey as an albatross hanging around President Akufo-Addo’s neck.
“What kind of time is he looking for again? If for nothing at all, if you feel you won’t be able to look at it call key stakeholders in the country…sit them around the table, and tell them that you tried to bring committees but it didn’t seem to work, so please let’s tackle it together.”
Kwame Jantuah
Meanwhile, the NPP stated that the government faces a challenge where some politicians venture into the hinterlands to engage in politics.
According to, Kofi Tonto, NPP Communicator, this issue complicates the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).
Tonto pointed out that politicians from the largest opposition party demand that the government address the galamsey issue.
He noted that, however, at the same time, these same politicians tell the illegal miners that the government is obstructing their efforts.
“Some efforts have been made to address galamsey, including setting up community mining, alternative livelihood… Because the fight against galamsey is not an easy fight. The President has not given up.”
Kofi Tonto
The NPP Communicator emphasized that the various challenges and political maneuvers surrounding the issue of galamsey significantly complicate efforts to combat it.
He noted that these dynamics, including mixed messages from political actors and conflicting interests, make it increasingly difficult for the government to effectively address the problem.
Government Agrees to Revoke L.I. 2462
Following extensive negotiations with the government, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Kenneth Koomson, announced a key breakthrough.
Mr. Koomson revealed that the government has agreed to revoke Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allows mining in forest reserves.
He stated that during an engagement on Thursday, October 3, the government responded to Organised Labour’s demands. These demands included declaring a state of emergency, revoking L.I. 2462, and deploying the military to protect forest areas and water bodies from illegal mining.
“The substance of this meeting is for the government to respond to the demands that Organised Labour has made with respect to the galamsey issue and how our forest reserves are being depleted.
“The government agreed to respond officially to the demands that we have made. In fact, the government agreed that the L.I. 2462 was going to be revoked, parliament when it reconvenes – steps were going to be taken to ensure that the L.I. 2462 which is one of the demands is revoked”.
Kenneth Koomson
Mr. Koomson noted that while a range of topics were covered during the meeting, Organised Labour remained firm in its demand for official, written confirmation from the government.
This, he emphasized, was necessary to ensure transparency and clarity in the commitments made.
As such, Mr. Koomson stated that once Organized Labour receives the government’s response, it will convene a meeting to thoroughly review and discuss it.
He emphasized that after this discussion, they will formulate and issue their official response to the government, outlining their position on the matter.
Moreover, several environmentalists have actively called on the government to withdraw the L.I. as part of their efforts to safeguard the forest reserves.
They argued that revoking this legislation is essential to prevent further degradation of these critical ecosystems, which are vital for biodiversity and the overall health of the environment.
These advocates emphasized that protecting the forest reserves is crucial not only for conservation but also for the communities that depend on these natural resources for their livelihoods.
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