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President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his unwavering commitment to confronting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the 2025 Labour Day celebration in Accra on Thursday, May 1, President Mahama acknowledged the deeply rooted and complex nature of the galamsey menace but insisted that his administration is taking bold, strategic steps to tackle the issue head-on.
“The fight against galamsey is a complex one, and when I was vying for the presidency, I did not kid myself that when I come into office, I would win that fight in four months. Yet, we will not give up,” President Mahama stated in his address to workers and stakeholders gathered at the Independence Square.
Since assuming office on January 7, 2025, the Mahama administration has rolled out a range of policy interventions to intensify the crackdown on illegal mining and restore Ghana’s degraded lands and polluted rivers. Among these is the flagship Blue Water Guards initiative — a specialized task force deployed to protect water bodies from mining pollution.
Additionally, the president’s anti-galamsey reforms include a ban on government officials from owning or participating in mining concessions, a new directive to repurpose seized galamsey equipment for national development, such as road construction and agricultural mechanization, rather than burning them, a controversial practice under previous administrations.
Reinforcing his administration’s commitment to action rather than rhetoric, President Mahama commended the efforts of Ghana’s security forces.
“Our gallant men of the armed forces and security services are up to the task and will continue to record successes against the selfish companies and individuals who are destroying our forests and polluting our water bodies. As far as the fight against galamsey is concerned, I say aluta continua.” He said.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net
