President John Dramani Mahama is expected to meet with key civil society organisations (CSOs) and religious leaders in Accra today, Friday 3 October, to discuss long-term strategies to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

The high-level meeting will bring together influential groups such as the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Office of the Chief Imam, Ghana Muslim Mission, Arocha Ghana, and IMANI Ghana, among others.

The engagement is part of government efforts to build a broader coalition to address the environmental and social damage caused by illegal mining activities across the country.

Presidential aide Dr Sammy Ayeh said the dialogue will provide a platform for stakeholders to offer feedback and suggest solutions to support ongoing government interventions.

“The government believes that the fight against galamsey is a collective one,” Dr Ayeh said. “While we have strengthened operational and legislative responses, collaboration with civil society and faith-based organisations remains critical.”

Since taking office, the Mahama administration says it has made progress in tackling the issue, including taking steps to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which had become a source of controversy.

Despite these efforts, illegal mining remains a significant challenge, particularly in Ghana’s gold-producing regions, where it has led to deforestation, water pollution, and damage to farmland.

The decision to engage CSOs has sparked mixed reactions. Some view it as a positive and inclusive step, while others have raised concerns that it could result in more rhetoric than action.

Traditional leader and legal luminary, Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, welcomed the move, calling it “a step in the right direction”.

The government is under increasing pressure to deliver results as calls grow for more effective and lasting solutions to the galamsey crisis.

Source:TheDotNews