Gov’t to revoke forest reserve mining law, deploy military to dismantle galamsey equipment

The government has decided to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L.I. 2462) as part of its renewed efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed that the necessary steps be taken to annul the regulation when Parliament reconvenes in October.

This decision comes in response to growing public demands for stronger action against illegal mining, as well as a planned nationwide strike by Organised Labour set to begin on Thursday, October 10, if no decisive measures are taken.

Following these calls from Organised Labour and other stakeholders, President Akufo-Addo has also directed that enforcement efforts be intensified to halt illegal mining activities, particularly in protected areas such as water bodies and forest reserves.

“All those currently mining in prohibited areas are to stop immediately, especially those engaged in mining in water bodies and forest reserves,” the President’s directive emphasized.

In a conversation with *Graphic Online*, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, revealed that the military would be deployed to dismantle all machinery being used for illegal mining operations. He stated that the demobilisation of such equipment would include the destruction of machines involved in illegal activities.

“Water bodies and forest reserves remain Red Zones for mining,” Jinapor affirmed. “All forms of mining in water bodies, as well as reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration, and small-scale mining in forest reserves, remain banned.”

A statement issued on Monday night, October 7, 2024, by Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar, further communicated the President’s directive. It stressed that law enforcement agencies are fully empowered to clear illegal miners from water bodies and forest reserves to protect these vital resources.

RE: OUTCOME OF PRESIDENT’S MEETING WITH ORGANISED LABOUR

1. Following the call by Organised Labour and other stakeholders on Government to take action on the menace of illegal small-scale mining in the country, the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, convened a meeting with Organised Labour

on Thursday, 3rd October, 2024 at the Jubilee House.

2. The meeting discussed the long-standing issue of illegal mining, reviewed the situation and Government’s effort thus far. It was agreed between the parties that:

A. Government will collaborate with Organised Labour and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining.

B. Government will take steps, when Parliament reconvenes, this month, to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2023 (L. I. 2462).

C. Government would ramp up its enforcement measures, particularly as it relates to prohibiting illegal mining in water bodies and forest reserves.

D. Water bodies and Forest Reserves remain Red Zones for mining, and all forms of mining in water bodies, as well as reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration and/or small scale

mining in Forest Reserves remain banned. Law enforcement agencies of the State are fully mandated to rid our water bodies and Forest Reserves of all forms of mining

E. The Attorney-General will collaborate with the Chief Justice to ensure swift adjudication of illegal mining cases.

F. Government supports the call for all Presidential Candidates to sign a pact committing to the fight against illegal mining so as to depoliticise this national problem.

3. In light of the above, Government is surprised by the decision of Organised Labour to proceed on an industrial action from 10th October 2024.

Government will, however, continue to engage

Organised Labour and other stakeholders in a constructive dialogue in finding solutions for this national menace.

4. Government reiterates its commitment to the fight against illegal small-scale mining and calls on all stakeholders to join the fight.