Former President John Dramani Mahama recently unveiled an ambitious plan to tackle illegal small-scale mining, also known as “galamsey,” and restore Ghana’s environment if he is elected in 2024. Apexnewsgh reports
During a meeting with religious leaders, he emphasized the importance of regulating small-scale mining to protect the environment.
Mahama expressed his commitment to conducting a comprehensive audit of all mining concessions in the country to hold the beneficial owners accountable for any illegal mining activities on their land.
He warned that severe actions would be taken, including revoking concessions, if illegal mining activities were discovered.
In addition to cracking down on illegal mining, Mahama outlined his vision for environmental renewal, pledging to restore polluted water bodies and damaged lands through initiatives such as the ‘Tree for Life’ and ‘Blue Water’ programs. He also proposed banning new mining activities in forest reserves and imposing stricter punishments for mining in water bodies.
To prevent conflicts of interest, Mahama announced that government officials would be prohibited from engaging in mining activities. Furthermore, he proposed mandatory training for small-scale miners in modern, responsible mining methods and land reclamation, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices.
Mahama also highlighted that a portion of the revenues from small-scale mining would be allocated to environmental reclamation efforts to ensure that the damage done to the environment is reversed.
The comprehensive plan put forth by Mahama underscores his dedication to addressing the environmental challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining while promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices in Ghana.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/ Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
