President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his commitment to ensuring the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) continues until the menace is completely eradicated and the mining sector is sanitized.

Speaking at the commissioning of the secretariat of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), the President stressed the need for the country to fight the menace and protect its natural resources.

President Nana Akufo-Addo disclosed his government intention to intensify the fight against illegal mining in the coming year, which according to him, will reflect his unwavering commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s natural resources are not destroyed.

He said the office of the IMCIM which will ensure effective regulation and monitoring of anti-galamsey activities in the country, is among steps being undertaken to streamline activities in the mining sector.

“The fight against illegal mining is entering a new phase. With this new office in place, there is going to be constant close and an effective monitoring and reporting of anti-galamsey activities so that the right thing is done all the time. This new face will demonstrate our water bodies, lands and forest with a biodiversity are not destroyed,” the president said on Thursday, December 28, 2017.

“My own personal commitment to banishing the spectra of galamsey remains resolute and immutable. Let me reiterate that small-scale mining is and will to continue to reserve solely to Ghanaians,” he stressed.

The Akufo-Addo-led government upon assumption into office in January announced a crackdown on illegal mining activities.

As part of efforts to regulate the sector, there has been a ban on small-scale mining with the help of anti-galamsey taskforce of police and army personnel.