Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has emphasized that the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, requires continuous, long-term efforts rather than short-term fixes.
Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Channel One TV, Mr. Ofosu stated that while some individuals will always attempt to engage in galamsey, a complete end to the practice, despite its devastation, is unrealistic.
He added that setting a timeline to end the menace is not the right approach.
“First of all, I’m not sure that a timeline is necessarily the conversation we should be having. I think it should be a lifelong activity,” he explained.
The Minister’s comments come amid mounting calls for the government to declare a state of emergency and introduce proactive measures to tackle illegal mining.
Despite these calls, Mr. Ofosu stressed that the focus should be on consistent action against galamsey rather than on setting a deadline for its eradication.
“What matters is that people see demonstrable commitment to fighting it—such that today, if you’re engaged in galamsey, or I am doing galamsey, we would be stopped by the government, and action would be taken against us,” he stated.
He concluded by underscoring the government’s duty to act decisively every time galamsey activities are discovered, ensuring that the issue is addressed consistently and without delay.
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