On the instruction of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, an adhoc Ministerial committee has been set up to engage all stakeholders to assess government’s efforts in dealing with illegal mining.
The five-member committee is led by the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah.
Other members of the committee are the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, the Minister of Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah and the Minister of information, Fatimatu Abubakar.
The move follows the recent calls from various stakeholders urging the President to act on the menace of illegal mining.
In a statement dated September 13, 2024 and signed by Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar it was explained that the committee’s mandate is to engage with key stakeholders including local communities, traditional rulers, and industry experts and assess the effectiveness of current government measures aimed at curbing illegal mining.
The move signals the government’s renewed commitment to finding a more robust solution to the galamsey menace, which has had devastating effects on Ghana’s environment and natural resources.
“The creation of this ministerial committee is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the galamsey issue head-on, ensuring that sustainable and effective measures are in place,” the statement said.
