Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has declared that President John Dramani Mahama will lead what the government calls a “relentless and ruthless campaign” to permanently eradicate illegal mining, or galamsey.
“There was no ambiguity in Cabinet today. The President will lead a war against galamsey the likes of which we have never seen before. It will be ruthless, relentless, and aimed at eradicating this canker permanently,” he stated
The Minister emphasized, “I can confirm to you that you are going to see a fight that has never been witnessed in this country.”
Speaking on Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the signing of the book of condolence for the victims of the recent helicopter crash, Mr. Ablakwa said the tragedy had strengthened the government’s resolve to address the threat, which he described as a serious and existential threat to Ghana’s future.
He claimed that the President’s position went beyond only upholding environmental laws to include preserving national security, saving lives, and paying tribute to the slain officers who had been dedicated to the advancement of the country.
“Illegal mining continues to destroy our water bodies, degrade our environment, and endanger communities,” he stated.
The Minister stated that a strong national effort to eradicate the evil of illegal mining must be motivated by the sacrifice made by the ministers and service members.
He declared that the government would use all of its operational, legal, and diplomatic resources to break up the networks that support illicit mining.
Mr. Ablakwa urged the country to fight together, emphasizing that cooperation from traditional leaders, local government officials, civil society, and residents of impacted villages would be necessary for the campaign to be successful.
He claimed that the battle was for the sustainability of the nation and not just for the government.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that the long-term advantages greatly outweighed the short-term inconvenience, but cautioned that the scope of the issue meant that the steps ahead would be difficult and possibly disruptive to those who profit from illicit mining.
“I believe that as a nation we should all commit that this ultimate sacrifice shall not be in vain, that we shall honor their memory by ensuring that this galamsey menace, we will deal with, once and for all,” the minister emphasized, emphasizing that the campaign was also about honoring the memory of the fallen officers.
He clarified that one of the best ways to honor their contribution would be to preserve water bodies and the environment for future generations.
He said the recent tragedy had brought Ghanaians together in sorrow and served as a reminder of the country’s pressing need to safeguard its natural resources.
He added that the fight against illegal mining was a battle for the long-term survival of the nation, saying, “It is also important to immortalize their memory by making sure that we protect our environment, we protect our water bodies, and we keep this country safe for the generations coming after us.”
Source: newsthemegh.com