President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to eradicating galamsey, amid growing public concern over the devastating impact of the menace on Ghana’s environment and water resources.
The President assured Ghanaians that his administration remains steadfast in tackling the crisis despite mounting calls to declare a state of emergency while speaking at a critical stakeholder engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Jubilee House in Accra.
“We will continue to fight. I believe we will win the fight against galamsey. We have nothing to hide; I don’t gain anything from galamsey.
“I’m not personally involved in galamsey. I have no interest in galamsey continuing,” President Mahama stated emphatically.
The meeting was convened against a troubling backdrop of environmental destruction and water pollution.
Reports indicate that over 1.2 million hectares of arable land have been destroyed by illegal mining, while several Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) treatment facilities have been repeatedly shut down due to dangerously high levels of contamination in major rivers.
In his remarks, the President directly addressed accusations of political complicity in the galamsey trade, asserting that neither he nor his administration had any vested interest in the illegal activity.
