President Mahama Warns Appointees Against Illegal Mining, Vows Strict Sanctions
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern warning to government appointees, stating that any official found engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) will face severe sanctions, including possible removal from office.
Speaking at the launch of the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative in Nkawie, Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region on Friday, March 21, Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal mining.
“Any government appointee found violating this directive will face severe sanctions, including possible removal from office. I have instructed security and regulatory agencies to intensify their operations against illegal mining.
“I have directed that no government appointee at any level should engage in any form of legal or illegal mining. If you want to be a miner, leave the government and go and be a miner,” President Mahama declared.
He further disclosed that in the past three weeks, seven of the nine designated no-go mining zones have been reclaimed, with efforts ongoing to restore the remaining two.
Crackdown on Illegal Mining
As part of the intensified crackdown, 71 individuals have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities. Authorities have vowed to prosecute the offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.
The government’s renewed fight against illegal mining comes amid rising concerns over environmental degradation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of farmlands caused by galamsey operations.
President Mahama reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lands damaged by illegal mining and ensuring that all mining activities are conducted legally and responsibly.
Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative
The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative, a key component of Mahama’s 120-day social contract with Ghanaians, is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to restore degraded lands, particularly those affected by illegal mining and deforestation.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah emphasized the urgency of the initiative, warning that Ghana’s forest cover is depleting at an alarming rate, posing serious ecological risks.
“We must act swiftly to reclaim degraded lands and restore our forests before the damage becomes irreversible,” he stated.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to combat environmental destruction and promote sustainable land use across the country.
