Addressing the 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, President Akufo-Addo underscored the effectiveness of the ban on illegal mining, known as galamsey, in reducing carbon emissions.
The President emphasized that the galamsey ban, which had been causing damage to water bodies and forest reserves, has contributed significantly to curbing carbon emissions in the country.
President Akufo-Addo also attributed the reduction in carbon emissions to various flagship policy initiatives, including “Planting for Food and Jobs,” “One Village, One Dam,” and the ban on illegal mining.
These initiatives have collectively contributed to mitigating carbon emissions and enhancing Ghana’s resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
“We placed a ban on illegal mining the phenomenon we call galamsey which was destroying our water bodies, vegetation and our forest. Some 20, 000 young people have been engaged to plant more than 30 million trees in two years to create jobs and restore degraded lands.
“These policy initiatives are already yielding positive results in the attainment of SDG Goals, particularly the goal of reducing our carbon emissions,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He further called on fellow African nations to take similar actions to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen their resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the community of Akyem Hemang, located in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region, has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service, Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, and the local assembly. They demand that these authorities either expel or apprehend illegal miners responsible for polluting water bodies and damaging farmlands in the area.
The Chiefs and residents warned that if these agencies fail to halt the activities of the miners within the stipulated 10-day period, the community will take matters into their own hands to protect and preserve their water bodies and agricultural lands.
Osabarima Mmirrikkissi Okasum Apori Atta, the Chief of Akyem Hemang, expressed his people’s growing frustration, stating that, “we know you have done your best, but it is not good enough, if you can’t do it, give us about 10 policemen to accompany us. Who has authorised them to come and mine our waterbodies in the first place? We cannot build Ghana in this way…I cannot hold back the anger of my people again.
“Within 10 days, if we don’t hear anything we will apply officially, to follow due process to go on demonstration and we will need police guard to drive them away. If there are no laws in this land, let us know so we take the laws into our own hands.”