The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has summoned all 16 regional ministers to his office in Accra, for a meeting about illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
The Chronicle is informed that the meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 and no regional minister is expected to exempt himself or herself.
The minister’s invitation comes days after he assured the public of swift and decisive government action to combat the menace of galamsey.
According to him, the action is in response to growing fears over the devastating impact of galamsey, which, among other things, is threatening the nation’s sources of water.
He announced that the security forces would be promptly deployed to affected areas to tackle the situation head-on.
“We are going to conduct a review today and I’m 1,000% certain that we are going to deploy. We will ramp up our enforcement measures and conduct a complete swoop, particularly in the Central Region,” the Minister told the media.
He assured the public that the government is committed to restoring the country’s water bodies and forest resources, which have been severely impacted by illegal mining activities.
OUTCRY
There has been public outcry for stronger action against galamsey, particularly after the Ghana Water Company announced that it had been forced to ration water supply to parts of Cape Coast, Winneba and Mankessim, due to pollution of water sources by illegal mining.
TIME BOMB
Some clergy have waded into the issue, raising several concerns, including expressing disappointment in the way galamsey has been handled in the country.
One of these clergy is the former President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Rev. Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, who has expressed deep concern over the increasing galamsey activities in the country.
He warned that the issue poses an existential threat to the nation if not addressed immediately.
“We are sitting on a time bomb. It is a disaster. We are committing a national genocide, not only against ourselves but against generations yet unborn,” Rev. Prof. Frimpong-Manso stated during an interview on JoyNews’ Upfront show.
CONCERNED
The founder of the Perez Chapel International, Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, preached about land in his sermon on Sunday, September 8, 2024 during which he discussed the issue of galamsey.
He said that the land of Ghana is mourning because of the destructive practices of galamsey.
In the sermon titled ‘Restoring Our Land: A Call Against Galamsey,’ Dr. Agyinasare noted: “Galamsey is an issue that threatens our environment, our health and our future,” stressing: “It is a pressing issue that is affecting our beloved nation.”
Thus, “As a preacher, I must be concerned with what is happening around me,” just as the Apostle Paul did in his day, according to Acts.
