Ursula Owusu, Minister for Communications, has fired back at those calling for a ban on small-scale mining due to the ongoing galamsey crisis. Galamsey, the illegal mining problem haunting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, has sparked major opposition, with many questioning his commitment to stopping it.
Despite the President’s bold stance of putting his presidency on the line to combat galamsey, the illegal activity continues, damaging water bodies and leading to growing frustration just two months before the general elections. Critics are now urging the President to shut down all illegal mining operations.
However, Ursula Owusu believes these demands are missing the point. Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo,” she explained, “You can’t say we should ban illegal mining. It is already illegal; it is banned. How do you ban something that’s already banned?”
She further pointed out that the nation’s divided support has hindered the fight, saying that some people even encouraged galamseyers to resist the President’s efforts. Owusu insists that the solution lies in all political parties publicly committing to ending the menace together.
