By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has highlighted the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in forest reserves.
Speaking on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Muslim emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
“The specific provisions in LI-2462 that gave the President the right to authorize leases to mine in forest reserves have been repealed,” Miss Shamima said. “We now have a comprehensive program that works together with our various security agencies, the services, as well as the armed forces, who are carrying out operations on a daily basis.”
She stated that the government is deploying technology and geo-sensing systems to identify areas where illegal mining is happening in real-time. “We’re also deploying technology and geo-sensing systems to identify areas where illegal mining is happening in real-time,” she added.
The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson acknowledged that more work needs to be done and that more collaboration and stakeholder involvement are necessary. “However, we recognize that more work needs to be done and that more collaboration and stakeholder involvement are necessary,” she said.
Shamima emphasized the need for a mindset shift among young people who engage in galamsey due to lack of alternative livelihoods. “The real challenge and complexity of this matter lie in providing an alternative to the young person who sees galamsey or illegal mining as their only source of survival,” she said. “We need to shift the mindset of these individuals to want to protect their community’s water resources and engage in productive activities that protect the environment while allowing them to earn a dignified livelihood.”
The government plans to roll out a comprehensive public education system and a patriotism campaign to raise awareness and appeal to people’s conscience. “We’re going to roll out a comprehensive public education system and patriotism campaign to raise awareness and appeal to people’s conscience,” she said.
The Attorney General is also reviewing and amending the existing Minerals and Mining Act to strengthen it and better fight galamsey. “The Attorney General is now taking steps to review and amend our existing minerals and mining act to strengthen it and better fight galamsey,” Muslim added.
She invited the media to support the government’s efforts in promoting a mindset shift towards environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods. “I would like to invite the media to support us in this effort,” she said. “We need a complete mindset shift that encourages us to engage in productive activities that protect the environment.”
