President Nana Akuffo Addo has revealed that Government is waging a valiant fight to bring the galamsey phenomenon under control.
[ads1]Delivering the State Of The Nation Address at Parliament, the president said there has been a ban on small-scale mining for the past nine months to help fight the menace.
He indicated that the banning of small-scale mining cannot be the long-term solution in a country such as Ghana, which is endowed with so many minerals; but desperate situations call for desperate remedies. “We cannot look on, as our very existence as a country is put in jeopardy and our water bodies, forests and land mass are destroyed” He added.
According to him, even with the ban, there has been a never-ending battle with the galamseyers. He noted that government has started various schemes to find sustainable alternative sources of income for the galamsayers. “Nothing will ever equate the attraction of the search for gold or diamond, and maybe the drama of actually finding some, but this generation of Ghanaians dare not preside over the destruction of our lands.” He explained.
He called on Ghanaians to help nurse the degraded lands and rivers back to health noting that the state of rivers and forests remains a great cause for worry, and it is the sacred duty of every citizen to protect them.
“My government will continue to reach out to our traditional rulers, so that, together, we can address pressing issues facing our nation and its peace and stability” the President assured.
He was grateful to the members of our forces in the Operation Vanguard that are protecting our environment and chiefs who have supported the fight against galamsey.
