Mahama to meet CSOs today over galamsey crisis
President John Dramani Mahama is expected to host a high-level meeting today, Friday, October 3, with civil society organisations (CSOs) and key stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions to the ongoing devastation caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The engagement will bring together prominent groups, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ghana, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, the Office of the Chief Imam, the Ghana Muslim Mission, A Rocha Ghana, and IMANI Africa, among others.
According to Presidential Aide, Dr. Sammy Ayeh, the government views the fight against illegal mining as a shared national responsibility and sees the meeting as an opportunity to gather actionable feedback and proposals from civil society.
“The purpose of the meeting is for the government to receive feedback, strategies, and suggestions from these organisations and institutions to complement the efforts already in place to end galamsey. It is instructive to note that since the inception of this government, significant milestones have been chalked up.”
“From operational to legislative measures, we have seen steps put in place to repeal LI 2462, which had become a bone of contention,” he explained.
He noted that while operational and legal measures are ongoing, broader cooperation with faith-based groups and civil society remains essential.
“The government believes that the fight against galamsey is a collective one,” Dr. Ayeh said.
The decision to engage CSOs has drawn mixed reactions. Some stakeholders have welcomed the move as timely and necessary, while others remain cautious about its potential impact.
The Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, described the initiative as “a step in the right direction.”
However, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, expressed skepticism, warning against what he called the government’s “over-reliance on dialogue” in place of concrete action.
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