President John Dramani Mahama has directed the country’s task force to seize, rather than burn, excavators used in galamsey operations.

Speaking after a meeting with the Christian Council on February 21, President Mahama emphasized the need for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to tackling illegal small-scale mining. His new directive marks a clear departure from the controversial approach of the previous administration, which faced backlash for destroying mining equipment in an effort to curb illegal activities.

“I’ve told them not to burn the excavators. They should confiscate them,” Mahama stated, outlining a more strategic method to address the growing problem.

While recognizing the economic importance of small-scale mining, which employs an estimated 1.8 million Ghanaians, Mahama highlighted the severe environmental consequences, with illegal mining wreaking havoc on the country’s forests. In fact, 43 of Ghana’s 280 forest reserves have been severely degraded due to illegal mining activities.

The government is now stepping up efforts to reverse the damage, with recent operations in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve leading to the confiscation of mining equipment and excavators. The move is part of a broader initiative to reclaim and restore areas affected by illegal mining.

This shift in strategy reflects Mahama’s recognition of the need for a balanced approach one that tackles the environmental destruction caused by galamsey while still acknowledging its economic role for many Ghanaians.

Source:TheDotNews