In a recent turn of events, Dr. John Kingsley Kurugu, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has countered claims suggesting that President Nana Akufo-Addo neglected the pressing issue of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, in his latest State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The controversy stemmed from the vocal dissatisfaction expressed by Dr. Edward Kareweh, President of the General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU), regarding the President’s silence on the government’s efforts to combat the destructive galamsey operations.
Dr. Kareweh highlighted the severe impact of illegal mining on farmlands and water bodies across the majority of Ghana’s regions, framing it as a direct neglect by the administration and a significant blow to the agricultural sector, which forms a substantial part of Ghana’s GDP and export earnings.
In response, Dr. Kurugu firmly stated that the accusation of the government’s failure in the anti- galamsey fight was either a misrepresentation or a lack of information on the critic’s part.
He emphasized that the administration has not been idle but has actively engaged in both short-term and long-term measures to address the crisis.
This includes the deployment of military and security services to curtail illegal mining activities or Galamsey and the initiation of multi-sectoral collaborations aimed at formalizing the sector for sustainable development.
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Furthermore, Dr. Kurugu revealed that Akufo-Addo has made significant strides in protecting the agricultural sector, particularly cocoa production, by integrating a desk on small-scale mining within COCOBOD to ensure the safeguarding of farmlands.
This move underscores the government’s recognition of cocoa as a critical economic pillar and its commitment to preventing further land degradation.
Highlighting a comprehensive approach to the problem, Dr. Kurugu shared that the government has secured a $103 million facility from the World Bank dedicated to the formalization of the illegal mining sector and the reclamation of damaged farmlands.
The package also introduces the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme (NAELP), aimed at providing alternative employment opportunities for youths involved in galamsey, marking a crucial step towards eradicating the menace while fostering economic and environmental sustainability.
This development marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s fight against galamsey, showcasing a government in action rather than in silence, as previously perceived.
With these measures in place, the administration aims to not only mitigate the environmental and economic damages caused by Galamsey but also to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the nation.
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