By Hannah Dadzie
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reiterated the government’s resolve to intensify the fight against illegal mining, warning that Ghana faces a “suicidal” future if the menace is not stopped.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Point of View, Mr. Ablakwa admitted that while some progress has been made, more decisive action is urgently needed. He paid tribute to the eight distinguished men, who died in a helicopter crash on August 6, in the fight against illegal mining.
“Nine months in office, I’m confident that these things will be done. Some of them have been done already. About 44 forests have been reclaimed. And look, let me be very honest with you on galamsey, I believe that we can do better. And all of these propositions I made in the past, I still stand by them,” The Minister said
“The tragic loss of the 8 fallen heroes, including my own brother, Dr Omane Boamah, the only befitting honour we can give their memory is to win this war against galamsey. If not, it means they died in vain,” he added
Mr Ablakwa commended the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, led by Kenneth Ashigbey, for sustaining pressure on successive governments, describing the group as “vanguards fighting for our collective survival.”
He revealed that President John Mahama has already issued fresh directives for ramped-up military deployment in galamsey-prone areas.
“I still have tremendous confidence in President Mahama. He has shown commitment, and I believe we can do more.”Mr. Ablakwa
On calls by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference for a state of emergency in affected communities, the Minister explained that the President preferred to exhaust other measures first.
“As Commander-in-Chief, he has access to information and strategies that may not be immediately visible to all of us. New measures have been announced, and I believe we should give them time to work,” he added.
Mr. Ablakwa stressed that the credibility of government depends on success in curbing galamsey, saying failure to do so would undermine Ghana’s environmental and social stability.
“Look at the Ministry. When given the opportunity, I hold here the KPIs.This is the first time in the history of our country that the Foreign Ministry has come up with KPIs for ambassadors. All our high commissioners and ambassadors, our envoys, must meet these targets. And if you fall short, it’s now in the appointment letters that the President signed, it is basis for you to be dismissed. I wish we could replicate this in the regions and the districts and have Galamse there, where if in six months you are not able to stop Galamse, it means you accomplish it. So these are positions I hold here. I still believe in them. Look, if we cannot be decisive, if we can’t have conviction, if we can’t say that there are some things that money, material gain should not get in the way, politics should not get in the way.” The Foreign Affairs Minister indicated.
