Adopt my 10-point plan to fight galamsey — Alan Kyerematen tells Mahama

The Leader and Founder of the United Party (UP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to adopt his 10-point action plan to effectively tackle illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

According to him, his proposed framework, introduced in 2024 as part of his Great Transformational Plan (GTP), provides a more structured and sustainable approach to ending the menace and restoring the environment.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3 on Thursday, October 16, the 2024 independent presidential candidate argued that despite the government’s efforts and demonstrated political will, the current measures being implemented are inconsistent and unlikely to yield the desired results.

“I feel that they should look at my 10-point plan and agenda to stop galamsey. I’ve talked about this and put it out in the media as part of the Great Transformational Plan (GTP). If you look at the GTP, it speaks directly to what we need to do to stop galamsey,” he stated.

Mr. Kyerematen’s plan includes a one-year nationwide ban on all small-scale and artisanal mining activities, whether legal or illegal, through an Executive Instrument. During this period, degraded lands and river bodies would be restored, and a full audit of mining licenses issued in the last 15 years would be conducted.

The proposed framework also calls for the revocation of all existing small-scale and community mining licenses, followed by the issuance of new ones only after thorough auditing and with the consent of traditional authorities.

The plan also seeks to introduce new legislation banning mining in river bodies and forest reserves permanently, with life imprisonment as punishment for offenders.

Another component of the proposal is the establishment of a Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative to help young people transition from illegal mining to regulated and sustainable mining ventures, as well as a Citizens Mining Protection Rights Group in every mining community to serve as watchdogs against environmental destruction.