The government is set to regulate the activities of illegal mining task forces operating in mining areas across the country.
This follows growing concerns from the Ashanti Chapter of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners over the operations of multiple unregulated groups acting under the pretext of fighting illegal mining.
According to GNASSM, these task forces have harassed and extorted licensed miners while operating without clear authority.
In response, President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, July 7, summoned all key stakeholders to address the issue.
Speaking during a meeting with the Council of State, the President stressed the need for order and coordination in enforcement efforts.
“I know that there are many things that we need to talk about. One was the issue of illegal mining, it is a very complex fight and I am sure that the Minister of Lands advised you about it. It is not an easy one, just this morning I had to summon all the stakeholders in the anti-galamsey fight to my office in order that we can streamline their activities because everybody is running helter-skelter and doing whatever they want.
“It has led to the rise of illegal taskforces that are taking advantage of the situation, and so we held a very good meeting and we are streamlining things,” he said.
Source:CNR
