The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has unveiled plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the battle against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, if he emerges victorious in the 2024 election.
Addressing attendees at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani on May 15, 2024, Mahama outlined his strategy of harnessing cutting-edge technology to confront one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental dilemmas.
He stressed that, if elected in the forthcoming general elections, his administration would deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and monitor all small-scale mining and galamsey activities.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, Mahama stated, “We will introduce and encourage technological innovation to improve capacity for coordinated monitoring of the small-scale mining sector and reduce environmental impact”.
Mahama advocated for the establishment of a dedicated fund aimed at providing a reservoir of mining equipment.
This fund, he asserted, would bolster sustainable mining practices, ensuring that mining communities operate with minimal environmental harm.
Furthermore, he elaborated on the incorporation of AI technologies to pinpoint all small-scale mining and galamsey operations, monitor excavators, and establish geofences around concessions to prevent unauthorized mining, particularly in sensitive areas such as water bodies.