The National Communications Director of the Small-Scale Miners Association, Abdul Razak Alhassan, has rejected calls for the revocation of L.I. 2462, arguing that the law does not permit mining in restricted areas and should remain in place.
Speaking on Prime News on ABC News GH, he emphasized that the regulation, which has been criticized by environmental groups, is being misrepresented.
“The L.I. does not permit mining in forests nor water bodies,” he clarified, insisting that enforcement, rather than repeal, is the best solution to tackling illegal mining.
Alhassan further defended the government’s approach to addressing illegal mining, praising the Lands and Natural Resources Minister for working closely with miners to find sustainable solutions.
“We fully support what the sector minister is doing,” he stated, describing the government as a “listening government” that is actively engaging stakeholders.
He insisted that legitimate small-scale miners are not part of the problem.
“We don’t have any illegal small-scale mining in Ghana. If it is illegal, it is indeed illegal,” he stressed, reinforcing the association’s stance that unregulated miners should be the main target of enforcement actions.
The debate over illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, has intensified as environmental activists, including Awulah Serwah of Eco-Conscious Citizens, continue to demand urgent action.
Serwah has called for a state of emergency and the revocation of L.I. 2462, claiming that current regulations are not effective in stopping the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies.
However, Alhassan disagreed, suggesting that authorities should focus on targeted interventions rather than legislative repeal.
“We can go after these 44 water bodies,” he said, proposing that illegal miners be given an ultimatum to vacate.
He maintained that with the right enforcement strategy, “it is something that we can fly all the illegal miners out.”
As the government intensifies its crackdown, the future of L.I. 2462 remains a contentious issue in the fight against galamsey.
