Akufo-Addo sets up 5-member ministerial ad-hoc committee to assess galamsey fight

The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has formed a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate into the measures implemented by the government to fight against illegal small scale mining also referred to as ‘Galamsey.’ This particular committee has been given a very important investigative function to evaluate the efficiency of measures aimed at reduction of environmental impact by ‘Galamsey’ within the territory of

The committee of high-ranking government officials will assess current strategies and policies in attempt at prohibiting galamsey and identify any improvements to be made on the government’s strategies. It will also look at the problems encountered by the police and other regional authorities in combating these unlawful practices.

The committee is headed by National Security Minister Albert Kan –Dapaah with Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor, Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul and Employment Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah and Information Minister Fatima Abubakar. Its work can be linked with government’s continuous fight against environmental degradation and-illegal mining.

It has been done before, but previous efforts that have been made include the inter-ministerial task force led by the former Environment Minister Prof Kwabena Frimpong Boateng which later led to his resignation. The formation of this new committee addresses rising concern over the degradation of the rivers and forest reserves and the rising problem of water scarcity.

Government strategies in the fight against Illegal mining is expected to be informed by recommendations of the committee.