The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Alfred Kwabena Dwumfour, has made a call to Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging him to take immediate action and enforce stricter measures to combat illegal mining (galamsey) in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing organized by the Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG), Mr. Dwumfour emphasized that government must comply with specific demands by the end of September 2024. These demands are critical steps to mitigate the severe impact of illegal mining on the nation’s water bodies and the environment at large.

The following are the five key demands outlined by the GJA President, which he expects the Office of the President to address:

State of Emergency on Water Bodies: The President should declare a state of emergency over Ghana’s water bodies, making all mining activities in or near water bodies illegal.

2. Abrogation of Mining Concessions Overlapping Rivers: All mining concessions overlapping rivers should be immediately revoked. Additionally, any mining activity within a 100-meter buffer zone of rivers and streams should cease. Non-compliance should result in the enforcement of Act 995, regardless of the individual’s political status or influence in society.

3. Cancellation of Permits in Protected Biodiversity Areas: All entry permits granted to miners operating in globally significant biodiversity areas (GSBAs) must be canceled, as many water bodies originate from forest reserves.

4. Repeal of L.I. 2462: The immediate withdrawal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which allows mining activities in forest reserves, should be enacted to protect these vital areas.

5. Public Declarations by Presidential Candidates: All presidential candidates of various political parties must publicly declare their support for the proposed measures to combat illegal mining.

Mr. Dwumfour noted that the next line of action highly depends on government’s response to these measures, and would be announced within two weeks.