The government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey, in forest reserves.
According to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, the government is deploying technology and geo-sensing systems to identify areas where illegal mining is happening in real-time.
“We’re also deploying technology and geo-sensing systems to identify areas where illegal mining is happening in real-time,” she said.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson stated that the government has repealed provisions in LI-2462 that allowed the President to authorize leases for mining in forest reserves.
“The specific provisions in LI-2462 that gave the President the right to authorize leases to mine in forest reserves have been repealed,” she said. The government is working with security agencies, the services, and the armed forces to carry out daily operations against galamsey. “We now have a comprehensive program that works together with our various security agencies, the services, as well as the armed forces, who are carrying out operations on a daily basis,” Muslim stated.
The government acknowledges that more work needs to be done and is seeking collaboration and stakeholder involvement. “However, we recognize that more work needs to be done and that more collaboration and stakeholder involvement are necessary,” she said.
Muslim emphasized the need for a mindset shift among young people who engage in galamsey due to lack of alternative livelihoods.
“The real challenge and complexity of this matter lie in providing an alternative to the young person who sees galamsey or illegal mining as their only source of survival,” she said.
“We need to shift the mindset of these individuals to want to protect their community’s water resources and engage in productive activities that protect the environment while allowing them to earn a dignified livelihood.”
To address this, the government plans to roll out a comprehensive public education system and patriotism campaign to raise awareness and appeal to people’s conscience. “We’re going to roll out a comprehensive public education system and patriotism campaign to raise awareness and appeal to people’s conscience,” she said.
The Attorney General is also reviewing and amending the Minerals and Mining Act to strengthen it and better fight galamsey. “The Attorney General is now taking steps to review and amend our existing minerals and mining act to strengthen it and better fight galamsey,” Muslim added.
Shamima Muslim invited the media to support the government’s efforts in promoting environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods.
“I would like to invite the media to support us in this effort,” she said. “We need a complete mindset shift that encourages us to engage in productive activities that protect the environment.”