A member of the NDC/Government Communications Team, Lawyer Nathaniel Tetteh, says no president in Ghana’s history has taken the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, more seriously than President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the measures introduced by the Mahama administration demonstrate the President’s commitment to tackling the illegal mining menace, which continues to pose a threat to the country’s environment and water bodies.
Lawyer Nathaniel Tetteh made the remarks on Adom TV’s Nnawɔtɔ Yi programme.
Providing data to support his claim, he said more than 258 people have been arrested and are standing trial, while over 200 excavators have been seized, with 34 subsequently destroyed.
He added that 1,469 pumping machines, 950 changfan machines, more than 285 motorbikes and 82 gold detectors used in illegal mining operations have also been seized.
According to him, the figures demonstrate that significant action has been taken by the government to clamp down on illegal mining.
Lawyer Tetteh said President Mahama remains committed to a promise he made to Ghanaians to deal decisively with illegal mining if elected president.
He added that although more work needs to be done, the government remains determined to pursue individuals involved in illegal mining and bring the menace under control.
“The government is dedicated to fighting the menace. More has been done, but the battle is not over yet, and the government will continue to pursue all those engaged in illegal mining,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to have confidence in President Mahama’s efforts to address the illegal mining activities that have plagued the country for years.
“Anyone who will say President Mahama has done nothing to fight galamsey is not being entirely truthful,” he said.
