Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, has emphasized the vital role of the media in combating galamsey. Apexnewsgh reports
During an extensive meeting with representatives from major media houses based in Accra, Armah-Kofi Buah stressed the need for a collective effort to address the complexities of illegal mining, particularly around water bodies and forest reserves.
The meeting, which coincided with reports of an attack on Forestry Commission officers, highlighted the severity of the issue. Armah-Kofi Buah revealed that upon taking office, nine forest reserves had already fallen under the complete control of illegal miners. The statistics on water pollution were alarming, with turbidity levels in water treated by the Ghana Water Company Limited ranging between 5,000 and 12,000 NTU, more than 10 times the permissible point.
The scale of land degradation was equally staggering, with illegal mining consuming an area equivalent to 7,500 football fields.
To combat this, the government has outlined a five-pillar strategy:
Enforcement of Existing Laws: Strengthening collaboration with law enforcement agencies to intensify crackdowns.
Structural Overhaul: Reshuffling teams to man sites and forest areas, preventing complacency and ensuring adequate cover.
Stakeholder Engagement: Involving traditional leaders, local authorities, and District Security Councils in the licensing process.
Technology Deployment: Establishing a monitoring system to track mining equipment and activities in real-time.
Public Sensitization: Raising awareness to foster collective responsibility in the fight against galamsey.
The Minister identified flaws in the current licensing system as a major enabler of illegal mining. To address this, the government is decentralizing the licensing regime, ensuring traditional authorities and District Security Councils become the first point of approval for mining permits.
Armah-Kofi Buah urged the media to remain vocal and objective, cautioning against politicizing the issue. The media practitioners commended the Minister for the engagement and pledged to use their platforms to bolster the fight against illegal mining.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
