Govt committed to galamsey fight — Abuakwa South MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Abuakwa South, Addo-Aikins Junior, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental protection and combating illegal mining activities in the country. 

He emphasised that the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, was dedicated to enforcing local regulations and collaborating with security agencies and community leaders to clamp down on illegal mining.

He highlighted the government’s focus on education and alternative livelihoods, stating that economic empowerment is key to lasting change.

“By combining education with practical livelihood opportunities, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government aims to empower our people to move away from harmful job opportunities to building a better future for themselves, their communities and the nation as a whole,” Mr Addo-Aikins Junior explained.

The Abuakwa South MCE, who represented the government, made the remarks when he responded to questions for the government at the sixth Commencement lecture at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region.

The lecture, on the theme: “Securing the Environment: Challenging the galamsey menace in Ghana,” provided a platform for discussing ways to address the country’s environmental challenges.

Illegal mining concerns

Mr Addo-Aikins Jnr said the current government is aware that illegal mining concerns not only our present generation but also the future of the country as a whole and should be paramount in whatever we do as a country, stressing, “Our rivers, forests, lands and mineral resources are not merely economic assets, but the foundation of our survival, health and development.

Participants in the event

He noted with concern that the government continued to strengthen enforcement, review mining policies and promote sustainable mining practices, of which the success of the fight depended largely on the cooperation of traditional leaders, opinion leaders, educational institutions, including UESD, civil society and the youth.

He said securing the environment meant choosing long-term national interest over short-term personal gain.

That, he said, called for protecting our rivers rather than pursuing short-term gains, preserving our forests instead of illegal profits and placing the value of human life above everything. 

The MCE, Mr Addo-Aikins Junior, urged all Ghanaians to note that the environment is not only an inheritance from our ancestors, but we must all discharge this trust faithfully for the betterment of Ghana and generations yet unborn.      

The Vice-Chancellor, Eric Nyarko-Sampson, said the university was poised to introduce a number of academic programmes to prepare the young minds of the youth and all Ghanaians to ensure a clean and safe environment.

He said that the university had already introduced MSc and MPhil in Environmental Restoration Studies and is currently working on a PhD in this field, adding, “There are multidisciplinary programmes that will contribute to addressing the devastating impact and effects of galamsey and mining in general.