We’ll establish joint action team to reclaim destroyed ‘galamsey’ lands – Mahama

John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has voiced grave concerns regarding the detrimental impact of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. He has put forth a proposal to establish a national joint action team on mining and forestry to address this issue if he emerges victorious in the December 7 presidential elections.

Speaking at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, Mahama emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts and decisive actions to combat the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining activities.

Acknowledging the extensive damage inflicted by years of galamsey activities, Mahama outlined proposed initiatives aimed at restoring degraded lands, rehabilitating impacted forests, and cleaning polluted water bodies. He stressed that these efforts would not only restore the environment but also generate thousands of jobs in affected mining communities.

As part of his proposed measures, Mahama detailed plans to establish a National Joint Action Team on Mining and Forestry, which would involve collaboration between the Forestry Commission, the Private Sector, and small-scale mining (SSM) operators. This initiative aims to rehabilitate impacted forests and create employment opportunities in affected mining communities.

Funding for these initiatives would be sourced from special fees levied by the Minerals Commission, contributions from the SSM Association, and support from interested plantation companies.

Mahama also highlighted the launch of the #Atree4life initiative in mining communities, aimed at encouraging youth participation in the cultivation of economically viable trees to mitigate environmental destruction.

Furthermore, Mahama emphasized the importance of the Galamsey Rehabilitation Initiative, which would focus on converting affected lands into commercial crop production zones. This initiative would be financially supported through various means, including special fees collected by the Minerals Commission and contributions from the SSM Association.

In conclusion, Mahama stressed the significance of youth involvement in reforestation efforts, expressing his commitment to launching the #Atree4life project to engage young people in mining areas in reforestation activities.