Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II says illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, has declined since the start of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, but warned the practice remains a threat that must be eradicated.
Speaking in Accra on Thursday, October 2, after being sworn in alongside 20 others as a Justice of the Court of Appeal, the Dormaahene told journalists that while galamsey did not begin under the current government, recent interventions have helped curb its spread.
“I have been on this stool for almost 26 and a half years. Galamsey — the illegal mining — did not start yesterday; it’s been with us for some time. If you ask me about my assessment I will say now it is going down,” he said.
The traditional ruler credited new enforcement measures and local initiatives for the progress, noting that activities and actors that previously operated with impunity are now less visible.
“You know why I am saying that? If you look at some of the steps that have been taken — before we were not hearing about the blue waterguards and all that…. Before this regime came I know for a fact because of the work that I do nine forest reserves had been taken over. Now that situation had been curbed,” he said.
Despite the progress, the Dormaahene cautioned against complacency, stressing that galamsey still exists and requires sustained action from government, the Minister for Lands, and the public.
“I wouldn’t stand here and say galamsey is gone; it is still with us but I believe that if you look at the seriousness… we should ensure that we nip this situation in the bud,” he said.
He warned that in Dormaa there will be zero tolerance for illegal miners adding that he would personally arrest offenders and hand them over to the police for prosecution.
The Chief appealed to citizens to help protect Ghana’s natural resources and livelihoods. “This is the only thing our ancestors left for us so we don’t have to destroy our water bodies, cocoa farms and ensure that we do farming in the right way so we can all be happy,” he said.
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