Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has indicated that the government plans to introduce new legislation to ban illegal mining activities in water bodies and forest reserves.
She disclosed this while speaking at an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Belgium as part of her official visit to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.
In her remarks, she noted that galamsey had caused damage to our country’s water resources and forest reserves.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also raised concerns over the abandoning of uncovered mining pits, which pose serious safety risks.
“We’re working towards banning mining in water bodies. A bill is being prepared to reverse what you saw and to ensure that the people are moved out of these areas and properly placed. What is even more disturbing also is the fact that when some mine, they just leave the place bare.”
On his part, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, disclosed that the government is reviewing approximately 2,167 mining licenses issued over the past eight years, dating back to 2017.
He stated that several of these licenses were granted to government officials. He added that individuals found culpable of engaging in illegal mining will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
