In a landmark press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre, Alan Kyerematen, the presidential candidate for the Afrafranto Alliance, unveiled a comprehensive 10-point plan aimed at eradicating illegal mining (Galamsey) in Ghana. Accompanied by his running mate, Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), and other senior partners, Kyerematen presented this ambitious blueprint on Sunday, September 29, 2024, signaling a fresh approach to one of the nation’s most pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Alan Kyerematen began his address by highlighting the severe devastation caused by Galamsey, labeling it an “existential threat” to Ghana. He described the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands as a consequence of decades of poor governance and policy failures by both the NPP and NDC administrations.
Central to Kyerematen’s plan is a one-year complete ban on all small-scale and community mining activities, both legal and illegal. This moratorium, he explained, aims to provide a crucial pause for assessing and restructuring the country’s mining practices. The ban will be accompanied by the demobilization of all mining machinery, which will be inventoried and stored by the military’s 48 Engineer’s Regiment.
Additionally, Kyerematen’s plan includes an aggressive restoration campaign to rehabilitate Ghana’s degraded river bodies and farmlands during the one-year ban. Oversight will be provided by the Water Resources Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies, with the forestry sector leading a plantation development initiative to rejuvenate damaged ecosystems.
A significant aspect of Kyerematen’s proposal is the cancellation of all small-scale mining licenses issued over the past 15 years. He called for a comprehensive audit of these licenses to uncover corruption, illegal issuance, and non-compliance with mining regulations.
Alan Kyerematen envisions a future of responsible mining practices through the introduction of a Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative. This program aims to transform young individuals previously involved in Galamsey into legal, environmentally-conscious miners. These youth-owned companies will receive seed funding, mining equipment, and managerial support from the government, enabling them to operate sustainable mining ventures.
The plan also includes the establishment of Citizens Mining Protection Rights Groups in mining communities, acting as watchdogs to ensure responsible mining practices and local community involvement in monitoring compliance with environmental standards.
One of the most striking elements of Kyerematen’s 10-point plan is the proposed legislation that would impose life imprisonment for those found guilty of mining in river bodies or forest reserves. He emphasized that the stakes are too high for leniency in such cases, insisting that stringent measures are necessary to deter future illegal mining.
Kyerematen underscored that this short-term strategy is part of a broader vision encapsulated in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP). His administration aims to review all legislation governing natural resource management, streamline regulatory agencies, and enhance local content in mining operations, with the ultimate goal of making Ghana a mineral processing hub for West Africa.
With these sweeping reforms, Alan Kyerematen is optimistic that Ghana can overcome the Galamsey crisis and restore its natural environment. He concluded by calling on all Ghanaians to support his vision, pledging that his government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against Galamse
Source: DEW360.NET
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL:
