Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar has disclosed that the government has concluded operational measures to intensify the “ongoing Operation Halt” in its efforts to fight illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. Fatimatu Abubakar in a statement on Wednesday, October 9, said the operation will be led by personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces in collaboration with the Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana and will be targeted at chasing illegal miners away from polluting Ghana’s river bodies.
Organisations and individuals, notably Organised Labour have urged the government to repeal LI 2462, a legislative instrument that permits the prospecting of gold in forest reserves and also demanded a ban on all forms of mining along river bodies.
Organised Labour declared an indefinite strike action effective Thursday, October 10 over the government’s failure to grant their demands. In solidarity with Organised Labour’s strike, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey also urged Ghanaians to wear red armbands to protest the government’s reluctancy.
Fatimatu’s statement further reiterated that the “river bodies and forest reserves remain red zones.” Operation Halt was launched to take action against illegal mining in forest reserves and water bodies.
Below is the full statement.
By: Kabah Atawoge
