President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed the suspension of the enforcement of L.I 2462, a regulation on mining in forest reserves, effective immediately.
The decision follows a crucial meeting with Organised Labour on October 8, after they threatened to initiate a nationwide strike on October 10 if the government failed to address the growing issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In a statement issued by the Office of the President on October 9, Akufo-Addo outlined a series of measures to tackle illegal mining, which has devastated parts of the country.
One of the key actions announced was the reinforcement of ‘Operation Halt,’ a military intervention designed to curb illegal mining activities.
President Akufo-Addo instructed the Defence Minister to deploy additional military forces to intensify the operation, with a specific focus on polluted river bodies.
“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,” the statement emphasized.
The president also directed the Attorney General to collaborate with the Chief Justice to expand the number of courts handling illegal mining cases, with the aim of expediting legal action against offenders.
In a move to foster national unity in the fight against galamsey, the president urged all political parties and presidential candidates to sign a pact committing to combat illegal mining.
Organised Labour, after expressing satisfaction with the government’s measures, suspended their planned strike action.
They welcomed the government’s proactive stance and pledged to work alongside other stakeholders to ensure a lasting solution to the illegal mining crisis.
