Dr Henry Herbert Lartey, leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), has described illegal mining popularly known as galamsey, as a national disaster which needs to be halted immediately.

According to him, the menace has caused destruction to a lot of water bodies and the environment of the country.

Expressing concern about the dangerous activity, Dr lartey made known that, the present generation is not only duty bound to protect the heritage of our forefathers, but should also be responsible for reclaiming all destroyed lands. This, he opined, will prevent the future generation from castigating the current generation as a greedy and selfish generation.

“The menace is shameful, painful and a national disaster, which should be brought to an immediate halt. Destroying our environment, which is a heritage from our forefathers, for the sake of amassing wealth through gold ore should never be entertained.

“It is for this reason that all those involved, irrespective of their status, party affiliations and ethnic group, should be arrested and prosecuted to prove that we are prepared to protect our national heritage.”
Dr Lartey

Duties Of Security Agencies In fighting The Menace

Wondering why the military and police personnel entrusted to halt the operations of galamsey have failed to do so, the party leader, suggested that it was time the security agencies combined their forces to uproot the canker of galamsey operations from all parts of the country.

“What saddens me is that we have proficient military and efficient police personnel across the country.

“However, in spite of the numerous task forces established to uproot the galamsey menace since 2013, they have not been successful so far.”
Dr Lartey

Per the account of the GCPP leader, “Our Service personnel should have the will power to stop galamsey, because they have been provided with the means to combat all forms of aggression, including galamsey operations, in all parts of Ghana.”

Dr Henry Herbert Lartey, to a greater extent implored the general public to have a common voice to support the security agencies to bring all forms of galamsey operations to a halt, explaining that the impunity with which a section of Ghanaians and foreigners have been creating wealth at the expense of our natural resources should no more be entertained. “We should not allow the selfish interest of few individuals to hold the entire nation to ransom. What is the importance of creating wealth for yourselves at the expense of our national heritage and our health,” he questioned.

“The government should not only place a total ban on the operations of all forms of mining at 300 metres along all water bodies, but should also ensure that all those who indulge in mining reclaim the land for future use. Without that, we are doomed forever.”
Dr. Lartey

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources recently called on the government to intensify efforts at dealing with illegal mining activities.

The Ministry bemoans the fact that the act has contributed to the massive pollution of the Birim River which is expected to be the main source of water for the Osino and Begoro Water Treatment Plants.

Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee sitting, the Sector Minister, Hon Cecilia Abena Dapaah called for a concerted effort in addressing the situation.

“We all know the harm that galamsey is causing to most of our water bodies. So I will crave all the ranking members’ indulgence to help us fight this menace through the vision of the President.”
Hon Dapaah

The Akufo Addo led government placed a ban on small-scale mining in 2017 as part of its bid to fight illegal small-scale mining. The ban, was however, lifted in December 2018 after over 1,300 small-scale miners were vetted and allowed to continue operations.