…NDC To Crack Down on Galamsey with Excavator Import Ban
By Philip Antoh
President John Dramani Mahama has declared war on Ghana’s devastating illegal mining menace, popularly known as ‘galamsey,’ vowing a stringent permit system to control the influx of excavators if his National Democratic Congress (NDC) returns to power.
The move, he says, is a crucial step in cleaning up the nation’s beleaguered mining sector and protecting its rapidly degrading environment.
Speaking emphatically at the “Mining in Motion Conference,” Mahama laid bare the NDC’s comprehensive strategy to tackle the environmental catastrophe.
He expressed deep alarm over Ghana’s dubious distinction of possessing more excavators than any other African nation, highlighting the direct link between these machines and the rampant destruction caused by illegal miners.
“We will introduce a permit system that regulates who can import excavators and who can operate them,” Mahama asserted, underscoring the urgency of reining in the widespread misuse of heavy machinery in illicit mining operations.
“This will help us manage and reduce their deployment in unauthorized activities.”
The fight against galamsey received a powerful endorsement from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who minced no words in describing the crisis as “extremely worrisome.”
The revered monarch pointed fingers at systemic failures, citing “regulatory failures, political errors, and corruption” as formidable roadblocks hindering genuine efforts to combat the scourge.
Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II passionately called for “enhanced leadership and accountability” to forge sustainable solutions, a sentiment echoed by Mahama’s tough new stance.
The NDC’s proposed crackdown on excavator imports signals a no-nonsense approach to an issue that has plagued Ghana for years, threatening its natural resources and future generations. The question remains: will this bold plan be enough to finally halt the galamsey onslaught?