The Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, has called on Ghanaians to be realistic in their expectations about the fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey.
Speaking in an interview on Adom TV’s Badwam with Akwasi Nsiah, Mr. Adjei noted that the current NDC-led government under President Mahama has been in office for only eight months, and it would be unrealistic to expect a complete eradication of galamsey within such a short period.
“The Akufo-Addo-led NPP gov’t had eight years but could not stop galamsey. How do people expect us to solve it in just eight months?” he questioned.
Mr. Adjei argued that although the previous administration launched several initiatives and made strong public declarations, those efforts failed to deliver results.
“Former President (Akufo-Addo) even laid his presidency on the line to fight galamsey, but we all saw the outcome. It didn’t amount to much,” he said.
Highlighting steps already taken by the Mahama administration, he disclosed that over 1,400 people have been arrested and more than 300 ‘changfan’ machines seized as part of efforts to clamp down on illegal mining.
“These are not mere talks; these are actions,” he stressed.
He further clarified that the current government has not issued any new mining licenses in forest reserves.
“We haven’t issued a single new license for mining in forest zones. Those who are mining now are doing so with licenses issued by the previous government,” he noted.
Mr. Adjei also pointed out the legal constraints in revoking existing mining licenses, explaining that due process must be followed even when operations are found in prohibited areas.
“You can’t just wake up and revoke someone’s license because they’re mining in the wrong area. These licenses were acquired legally, and due process must be followed,” he explained.
He appealed to the public to give the government more time and support in its ongoing efforts to tackle the menace.
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