Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has delivered a sharp rebuke to those engaged in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, calling them enemies of the state.
His remarks were made during an interview with Naa Dedei Tettey on Morning Starr, where he passionately addressed the ongoing environmental crisis facing the country.
“When they contaminate the water, the Ghana Water Company doesn’t ask what your party colour is before that water flows into your house. If you’re engaged in illegal mining, you are a criminal and an enemy of the state,” he stated emphatically.
His comment underscores the nonpartisan nature of the destruction caused by illegal mining activities, as polluted water bodies affect Ghanaians regardless of political allegiance.
Touching on the political implications of the government’s decision to amend rather than repeal the controversial Legislative Instrument (LI 2462), Sam George admitted there is cause for concern.
“If we don’t handle galamsey very well, it has the potential of eroding the goodwill the government is enjoying,” he warned, echoing fears expressed by environmentalists and civil society organisations.
Despite the challenges, the Minister remains hopeful. He pointed to a recent military operation targeting illegal miners as a sign of renewed political will to address the crisis.
“I’m confident that looking at what Kofi Armah Buah (Minister for Lands and Natural Resources) and Dr. Omane Boamah (Minister for Defence) have started doing, there’s hope. In the short term, we should see more action like we saw two days ago from the joint military team,” he said.
