President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has pledged to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462) as Parliament reconvenes later this month.
This commitment comes in the wake of growing concerns over illegal mining, known as “galamsey,” which has severely impacted Ghana’s environment.
The decision followed a crucial meeting between the President and Organised Labour on October 3, 2024, at the Jubilee House, where both parties addressed the need for swift government action against the illegal mining that has plagued the country’s forests and water bodies.
In a statement, the Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar said after the meeting, the key agreements from the meeting include:
– Collaboration between government and Organised Labour to fight illegal mining
– Enhanced enforcement measures to prohibit mining in water bodies and forest reserves
– Designation of water bodies and forest reserves as “Red Zones” for mining
– Swift adjudication of illegal mining cases through cooperation between the Attorney-General and Chief Justice
– Support for a pact committing presidential candidates to fight illegal mining.
Organised labour has however stood ground as it announced some weeks before to go on strike from 10th October, 2024.
Organised Labour is saying until government becomes practically responsive in the fight of galamsey, they will halt all services in the country.
