President Akufo-Addo has ramped up efforts to tackle illegal mining (galamsey) by instructing the Minister of Defence to deploy additional military forces to strengthen “Operation Halt.” This operation will now focus heavily on water bodies and forest reserves severely impacted by illegal mining activities.
The directive comes after pressure from Organized Labour, which had threatened a nationwide strike unless more decisive action was taken. Labour demanded an immediate halt to all illegal mining activities to prevent further environmental destruction.
In a statement issued on October 9, 2024, the government revealed plans to deploy naval boats on polluted rivers and impose a strict ban on all mining in designated “red zones.” The military will enforce these bans, targeting both legal and illegal operations, to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
Organized Labour, in response to the government’s renewed efforts, has suspended its planned nationwide strike after an emergency meeting, opting to monitor the government’s implementation of these new measures. They expressed hope that these steps would lead to significant progress in the fight against galamsey.
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