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The government will soon reveal some significant interventions it would use in its attempts to combat illicit mining, often known as galamsey, according to Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
In an interview with Bernard Avle for the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM on Tuesday, October 8, Mr. Jinapor stated that the government met with Organized Labour regarding its planned October 10 strike, calling it “very productive and fruitful.” He also stated that the first step in addressing the threat is to repeal LI 2462, which is a piece of legislation that currently allows mining in forest reserves.
“Consensus was reached that the government will take steps to repeal LI 2462 when Parliament resumed and also ensure the expeditious trial of offenders. Be it as it may, the government took notice of the announcement [of Organised Labour] that went on yesterday [Monday] but there are some other interventions that we are working on and they will be made known in the coming days. River guards and the navy will be patrolling our river bodies, with other interventions.”
According to the minister, agriculture, not mining, is the primary cause of deforestation. However, the government is committed to combating the galamsey threat, so it shouldn’t be interpreted that the battle against the devastation started a few weeks ago due to pressure from Organized.Labour.
“The number one driver of deforestation is agriculture and that is not to suggest mining does not do the same. Mining on river bodies is banned and they are red zones mining is not permitted 100 meters away from our waterbodies and we are even planning to make it 200 meters small-scale mining is also not permitted in forest areas
“The impression should never be created that we are just waking up to take action against this menace. Operation Halt has been happening almost every fortnight and we are going to intensify that.”
In the meanwhile, the organized labour leadership is certain that, should their demands not be satisfied, they would launch a statewide strike on Thursday, October 10.
The organization is demanding the revocation of L.I. 2462, which enables mining in forest reserves, the establishment of a state of emergency to safeguard rivers and water bodies, and small-scale mining be temporarily prohibited.
In a meeting with labour leaders, President Akufo-Addo asked for more time to answer their requests, albeit it appears that they also agreed to revoke the L.I. that allows mining in forest areas.
To deliberate on the next line of action, organized labour is now convening at the TUC conference room in Accra.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
