You Can’t Fail In The Fight Against Illegal Mining – Chief Of Staff Tells MMDCEs

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare, says there will be sanctions against Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Chief Executives (MMDCEs), if they fail to lead the crusade against illegal mining or galamsey in their respective areas.

According to her, MMDCEs are expected to spearhead the fight to achieve its purpose.

“Systems have been put in place to assist you perform this role. So there is no excuse not to deliver. Failure is not an option.”

Government was compelled to issue a ban on all forms of small scale mining in 2017, at the time the menace was destroying the county's land, forests and water resources.

Analysts warned that Ghana may resort to the importation of clean water in the next two decades if the threat is not eradicated.

But speaking at a forum in Accra for MMDCEs on government's plan against illegal mining, Akosua Frema Opare said the war on on galamsey must be won.

“It's commitment that we expect from you. Commitment that buys into the vision of the President for the good of Africa today and for the future.”

Gov't to lift ban on small-scale mining by December

The government has given the assurance that it may lift the ban on all forms of small-scale mining by the end of 2018.

Professor Frimpong Boateng, Chairman of the Inter-ministerial Task-force Against Illegal Mining, was optimistic that small-scale miners would be able to return to work by December.

Gov't launches new software to fight galamsey

The inter-ministerial task-force on Galamsey has adopted what it calls technology driven strategies to combat illegal mining.

Key among the technologies is a software called Galamstop, which will monitor the activities of illegal miners.

The inter-ministerial task-force on Galamsey has adopted what it calls technology driven strategies to combat illegal mining.

Key among the technologies is a software called Galamstop, which will monitor the activities of illegal miners.

Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, said the team hopes the innovations will culminate in the eventual lifting of the ban.

“These are things that have been pledged at this conference in the fight against illegal mining. The integration of activities of these regulatory agencies through a computer application we call Galamstop. The Minerals Commission, EPA, Water Resources Commission, Forestry Commission, our current DCEs will be integrated through this software application.”