Galamsey: Our own people are also involved - Mahama
John Dramani Mahama acknowledged on Tuesday, March 17, at the Jubilee House that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, "has involved a circle of traditional rulers, political party appointees and everything." He cautioned that tackling the problem will be difficult but unavoidable. According to President Mahama, the practice has become deeply rooted in society, making the fight against it more complex than often assumed.
President Mahama explained that shifting political loyalties among operators complicate the situation. He stated, "Even when one party changes, those who were running some operations under one party move to the next and say, now that you have come, take over this operation and let's share." He also pointed to the difficulties faced by enforcement teams in communities where illegal mining enjoys local support. President Mahama linked the rise in galamsey to economic pressures within the cocoa sector, noting that low producer prices have driven some farmers away from cocoa production.
President Mahama expressed hope that reforms in cocoa pricing would help reverse the trend, indicating that government is working on a mechanism to ensure farmers receive a fairer share of global prices. He said, "We are hoping that it will stabilise with the new automatic mechanism we are introducing so that farmers know they are getting 70% of the price." He added that efforts are underway in collaboration with the Finance, Defence, and Interior ministries to equip security agencies with the needed resources.
Quick Summary
President Mahama addressed the issue of illegal mining in Ghana during a meeting with Organised Labour. He acknowledged the deep entrenchment of galamsey within various levels of society - hinting at the complexities of combating it.
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