The Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, says government's fight against illegal small scale mining cannot be completed in President Akufo-Addo's second term in office.
According to the minister, it requires more than a decade's effort for Ghana to be free of 'galamsey'.
"We are not out of the woods yet. We have not gotten to a satisfactory stage yet. We have not gotten to a situation we can say that we have a full grip on the issue of illegal small scale mining in our country.
"I'll be the first to admit that it wouldn't take 4,5, 8 or 10 years to rid our country of illegal scale mining completely," he said on GBC Breakfast Show on Tuesday.
Despite the challenges, Mr Jinapor noted that the government has chalked some success in the fight against illegal small scale mining in the country.
The Damongo MP indicated the government has been able to put up the necessary reforms in the regulatory regime and enforce its mechanisms to address the canker.
"We will also have to admit that we have made considerable gains and we have gotten to a point where we can reasonably be encouraged that a better framework and the building blocks have been put in place to deal with this menace.
"I'm talking about matters to do with how you acquire licenses, whether you do that online, the whole issue of community mining, inspectorate division of the Minerals Commission, issues to do with exploration for mineralized concessions.
The enforcement mechanism is where you find matters that have to do with Operation Halt, and efforts made by the Regional and District Security Councils. Though we have not arrived at the point we seek to reach, we have so far made substantial progress.”
He assured that government will not be complacent to lose the successes chalked for about 5 years.
"We are going to be totally committed, all the measures we have introduced are going to be enhanced this year.”
According to the Lands Minister, ‘galamsey’ is one of the most crucial issues in the country.
Latest Stories
-
Disbursement of $1.2bn from partners will mitigate Cedi depreciation – Finance Minister
7 mins -
Bawumia commissions new Fire Service Training School in Duayaw-Nkwanta
13 mins -
Cape Coast Technical University graduates urged to embrace opportunities and lead the way in innovation
16 mins -
Ghana, Malawi reach visa waiver agreement
23 mins -
Awutu Senya Municipal Council warns against spreading falsehoods regarding missing male genitals
24 mins -
We want to play at the 2025 U-20 World Cup – Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei
51 mins -
10,720 housing units under development to address housing deficit – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
1 hour -
Study finds 2 household chemicals linked to autism and multiple sclerosis risk
1 hour -
French school head resigns over Paris veil row and death threats
1 hour -
No lives were lost during last Tuesday’s ‘dumsor’ – Tema General Hospital
1 hour -
Today’s front pages: Thursday, March 28, 2024
2 hours -
Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil and Gas Industry (AECIPA) Partners with Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2024: Members Offered Exclusive Discounts
2 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Ignore reports of imminent sacking of Prosper Ogum – Kotoko IMC
2 hours -
The Meeting with the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo accepts Oteng-Gyasi’s resignation as GRA Board Chair
2 hours