Convener of the Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, has commended President John Mahama and his government for showing renewed commitment in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, saying recent interventions are beginning to yield results.
Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews, Ing. Ashigbey said the political will demonstrated by the President and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has been critical in tackling an environmental menace that continues to threaten Ghana’s water bodies and forests.
“The current president has shown the will to fight this menace that is eating us up. The current Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has also been at the forefront of fighting it,” he said.
Ing. Ashigbey particularly praised the decision to repeal what he described as an “obnoxious airline,” following the Minister’s assumption of additional responsibility as acting Minister for Environment. According to him, the move sent a strong signal of seriousness in addressing environmental governance challenges linked to illegal mining.
He also pointed to the impact of Operation NAIMOS, the joint security task force deployed to clamp down on galamsey activities, noting that its operations are making a visible difference in affected communities.
“We have seen Operation NAIMOS and what they’ve been doing and the impacts they have been making,” he said.
Commenting on recent remarks by President Mahama about the turbidity levels of polluted rivers, Mr Ashigbey acknowledged that while the President’s analogy comparing water clarity to beverages may not be scientifically precise, it served an important communication purpose.
“The president, with his communication prowess, wanted to use that to drive home a point,” he noted.
He clarified that the river body referenced by the President was the Ayensu River, and attributed recent improvements in its condition to extensive work by NAIMOS, a state-backed entity involved in land reclamation and environmental restoration.
“The reason why you find out that Ayensu has improved is that NAIMOS has done some extensive work in that particular area,” he explained, adding that similar interventions across the country could significantly improve outcomes in the fight against illegal mining.
Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges, contributing to the pollution of major rivers, the destruction of farmlands, and the loss of forest cover.
Environmental groups have long called for sustained political will, coordinated enforcement, and restoration efforts to address the crisis.
Ing. Ashigbey’s comments come on the back of Mahama’s fight against illegal mining a year into being sworn in as president.
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