Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has revealed that some politicians are actively involved in illegal mining (galamsey), making efforts to combat the menace even more challenging.
In an interview on Channel One TV, Murtala expressed deep concerns over the role of political figures in the galamsey industry, stating that their involvement has significantly hindered the government’s efforts to address the issue.
He also pointed out the withdrawal of security forces from galamsey-prone areas in 2022, a decision he believes worsened the situation.
“There’s no denying the fact that politicians are engaged in galamsey… It’s shocking to note that as of 2022, the state had taken a decision to withdraw security forces who were preventing people from engaging in galamsey in all galamsey areas.”
Murtala emphasized the government’s commitment to winning the fight against illegal mining, dismissing claims that their efforts were merely rhetorical.
“No [rhetoric], we want to do less talking and much work. I can tell you what we’re doing is profound. Some of the things I can’t put out there. I had some engagement today, [Wednesday, February 19] with some organisations and institutions to see how we can stop galamsey and at the same time restore the water bodies.”
He assured Ghanaians that they will witness significant changes in the fight against galamsey in the coming months.