Akufo-Addo Doubles Down on Fight Against Illegal Mining Amid Organized Labour Concerns

President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his dedication to eradicating illegal mining, known as galamsey, following rising concerns from Organised Labour.

This commitment comes as Organised Labour canceled a planned nationwide strike originally set for October 10, which aimed to prompt immediate governmental action to stop illegal mining in sensitive areas.

In a statement on October 9, the President emphasized his administration’s resolve to confront the galamsey crisis.

To bolster efforts, he has instructed the Defence Minister to enhance military presence in illegal mining zones as part of the ongoing “Operation Halt.”

This operation focuses on halting all mining activities, particularly near water bodies, with additional support from naval patrols on polluted rivers.
Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo has directed the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation to temporarily suspend the enforcement of new regulations concerning mining in forest reserves.

He has also established four specialized courts dedicated to handling illegal mining cases and tasked the Attorney General with increasing the judiciary’s capacity in this area.

To ensure a united front against illegal mining that transcends political boundaries, the President urged Organised Labour to advocate for all presidential candidates to sign a national agreement prioritizing the fight against galamsey as part of their electoral commitments.