We must wage an all-out war on Galamsey – Sam George

Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, is urging the government and citizens alike to commit fully to ending illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.

His renewed call comes in the wake of a tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians, including his close friend and colleague, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, August 12, Mr George described the loss as devastating, but also as a wake-up call. He said the lives lost in the crash must not be in vain.

“My belief and resolve in the fight against galamsey is as strong as it has ever been. I lost my big brother, Kofi Omane Boamah, and seven other sons of our land because of galamsey. The least we can do in their memory is to wage an all-out war on it,” he stated.

He revealed that Dr Boamah, despite a personal fear of flying, boarded the helicopter for this mission alone, underscoring his deep commitment to the fight against illegal mining.

Mr George said he had been tasked with leading a digital initiative to combat galamsey and pledged to carry that work forward with even greater urgency.

He also recalled the country’s failure to act decisively after the killing of Major Maxwell Mahama in 2017, warning that this time, the nation must respond differently.

“We cannot wait for more lives to be lost before we act,” he said.

The crash occurred in the Ashanti Region as the group travelled to Obuasi for the launch of a new anti-galamsey operation.