The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah is urging Ghanaians to see illegal miners also known as galamseyers, as “terrorists” who are actively endangering the lives of Ghanaians..
Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, Mr, Armah Buah emphasizing the need for a collective effort to put an end to the devastating impact of illegal mining in the country.
“We can’t allow few people to make money at the expense of millions of Ghanaians and kill us, we must now begin to see them as dangerous terrorists who are killing us,” he said.
The minister’s statement comes amid rising concerns about the environmental and social repercussions of illegal mining which has long been a significant issue in the country.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to using all available resources to combat illegal mining activities that have been ravaging forests, water bodies, and farmlands across the country.
The Minister also added that government is ready to welcome any small-scale miner who desires to use the right procedures to work.
“If anybody wants to do genuine small-scale mining, this government is committed to guiding them, giving them licenses, and guiding them on the path of doing small-scale mining in a more responsible and sustainable manner,” he said.
He called for a collaborative effort to fight against the menace, saying, “This is what must be a collective fight.”
Story: Eric Boateng
