The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has announced the government’s new effort to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey.
In a statement outlining the measures in ‘Operation Halt’, she said the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) will lead this charge in partnership with the Small-Scale Miners Association.
The operation will identify and expose illegal operators, enabling more efficient enforcement of laws and regulations in affected areas.
The statement emphasised that “river bodies and forest reserves remain red zones”.
This comes a day before organised labour’s October 10 nationwide strike against galamsey.
The group is demanding an outright ban on all forms of illegal mining to end the negative impact on the environment.
READ ALSO: Galamsey: GMA refuses to join October 10 strike
This comes after the expiration of the September 30 deadline given to President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, October 7, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, said unless the government takes decisive action, organised labour will proceed with the nationwide strike.
“We have concluded as follows: our strike remains unchanged…, we are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands, and therefore our notice of strike remains unchanged,” he stated.
Below is the minister’s statement:
