President John Dramani Mahama is expected to host a high-level meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) and key stakeholders today, Friday, October 3, to discuss sustainable solutions to the devastation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The engagement will bring together influential groups such as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ghana, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Office of the Chief Imam, the Ghana Muslim Mission, Arocha Ghana, and IMANI Ghana, among others.
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to share perspectives and propose strategies to complement ongoing government efforts to curb the menace.
Presidential Aide, Dr. Sammy Ayeh, emphasized that the government considers the fight against galamsey a shared responsibility.
“The purpose of the meeting is for the government to receive feedback, strategies, and suggestions from these organisations and institutions to complement the efforts already in place to end galamsey. It is instructive to note that since the inception of this government, significant milestones have been chalked up.
From operational to legislative measures, we have seen steps put in place to repeal LI 2462, which had become a bone of contention,” he explained.
He added that while the government has intensified both operational and legislative reforms, broader collaboration with faith-based and civil society organisations remains critical in winning the fight against illegal mining.
“The government believes that the fight against galamsey is a collective one,” Dr. Ayeh said.
The decision to engage CSOs has drawn mixed reactions. While some have welcomed the initiative as a constructive step, others argue it risks becoming more talk than action.
The Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, described the initiative as “a step in the right direction.”
However, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, expressed skepticism, criticizing what he sees as the government’s over-reliance on dialogue.
