President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister for Defence to deploy additional military personnel to enhance “Operation Halt”, the government’s initiative aimed at curbing illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. This action specifically targets areas near water bodies and forest reserves.
This decision comes in response to mounting pressure from Organised Labour, which had demanded an immediate cessation of galamsey activities and threatened to strike if the government failed to take decisive action. In a press statement dated Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the Presidency announced plans to significantly bolster the operation, including the deployment of naval boats on polluted rivers to enforce an immediate halt to all mining activities—both legal and illegal.
The government emphasized its dedication to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources and preventing further environmental degradation caused by illegal mining. Officials reiterated that no mining activities would be tolerated in designated “red zones,” aiming to restore public confidence in their ability to combat the galamsey crisis, which has severely impacted water quality and ecosystems across the nation.
Meanwhile, Organised Labour has suspended its planned nationwide strike, originally scheduled for October 10, 2024 during an emergency meeting on the same day, where union leaders assessed the government’s commitments to tackle illegal mining.
The strike, which had received support from various unions, was intended to pressure the government into taking decisive action against illegal mining and addressing other pressing issues affecting the nation.
Source: DEW360.NET
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