ADVERTISEMENT

Akufo-Addo on galamsey: We are not fighting to put miners out of work

Speaking at the Independence Square Monday to mark International Workers’ Day, the president said his administration is working to ensure mining is done in a sustainable manner.

The president made the comments following sustain media campaign for an end to galamsey following the destruction of the nation’s rivers and cocoa farm lands.

“I have not yet met anyone who’s engaged in galamsey who is satisfied with the level of degradation of our land and our environment that currently comes with galamsey,” he said.

“We are not fighting to put people out of work by seeking to end galamsey.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Acknowledging that mining cannot be stopped owing to the nation’s vast gold resources, the president said the present generation cannot continue with the current state of mining because they hold the land in trust for the unborn generations.

“Since the almighty blessed us with this precious mineral, there will be mining in our country.

“But this present generation does not own the earth.  We hold the land in trust of generations yet unborn and we cannot destroy it,” he said.

He also disclosed plans to establish a gold finery to pay fair prices to miners. He said galameyers do not get the right price for the gold they mine.

He said: “We are arranging for small scale mining to be conducted in a sustainable manner. All the indications are that, the galamseyers, those who undertake the hazardous and tedious work do not make money as they are routinely cheated from getting a fine price for the gold they find.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are therefore encouraging the establishment of gold refinery which will pay fair prices to the miners.

“The sustainable small scale mining regime we envisage will protect our environment and protect the workers as well.”

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT