President John Dramani Mahama has raised alarm over the growing environmental devastation caused by illegal mining-commonly referred to as galamsey-across key parts of the Western North Region, describing the situation as a "national emergency." "We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that is reported across Awaso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso, mainly due to illegal mining. "I must be honest, this is a national emergency," the President stated on Tuesday, July 15, while addressing a durbar as part of his ongoing 'Thank You Tour' in the region.
He emphasized that the fight against illegal mining remains a top priority for his administration and assured residents that the national anti-galamsey taskforce will continue its operations, particularly targeting forest reserves and water bodies being ravaged by miners.
But President Mahama also expressed concern about the emergence of unregulated anti-galamsey groups operating under the guise of law enforcement.
He accused these groups of extorting money from legitimate small-scale mining companies. "I have also noticed the activities of the illegal anti-galamsey taskforces that go round extorting money from legitimate small-scale mining companies," he revealed.
