The presidency has issued an immediate release showing the good will measures taken by president Nana Akufo Addo to ensure the activities of illegal mining becomes a thing of the past.
According to the release, “In a demonstration of Government’s commitment to tackling the issue, President Akufo-Addo, through the relevant sector ministers, invited the leadership of Organised Labour to a meeting held on Tuesday, 8th October 2024, at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations”.
It added that “Following the meeting, the President has, in a letter dated 9th October 2024, and addressed to the leadership of Organised Labour, outlined the following measures to address their concerns:
“Deployment of Additional Military Personnel: The President has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military forces to intensify the ongoing “Operation Halt”, which aims to curb illegal mining activities. The operation will be bolstered by the deployment of naval boats on polluted river bodies to ensure the immediate cessation of all mining activities, legal or illegal, in and around these water bodies.
“Suspension of Mining in Forest Reserves: The President has instructed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to suspend the enforcement of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462), with immediate effect.
“Strengthened Prosecution of Illegal Mining Cases: In a bid to enhance legal action against illegal mining activities, four (4) dedicated courts have already been established. The President has further directed the Attorney General to work with the Chief Justice to increase the number of courts handling cases related to illegal mining.
And lastily, “Call for a National Pact on Illegal Mining: Government has urged Organised Labour to encourage all presidential candidates and their political parties to sign a pact, committing themselves to the fight against illegal mining as part of their election pledges.
It is based on these measures that government appealed to Organised Labour and it suspended their planned “strike action” slated for October 10th, 2024.