Alan Kyerematen, the presidential candidate for the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, alongside his running mate, Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), and senior partners of the Afrafranto Alliance, has launched a detailed 10-point plan aimed at eliminating illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.
This ambitious strategy was presented during a significant press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Sunday, September 29, 2024, marking a new approach to one of Ghana’s most critical environmental and socio-economic issues.
In his address, Kyerematen acknowledged the extensive damage caused by galamsey, calling it an “existential threat” to the nation. He painted a dire picture of the widespread destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and agricultural land, attributing it to years of inadequate governance and policy failures by both the NPP and NDC administrations.
“The two dominant political parties have shown that they lack the competence, desire, and political will to tackle galamsey,” he stated.
Central to Kyerematen’s plan is a one-year comprehensive ban on all small-scale and community mining activities, both legal and illegal. He explained that this moratorium would provide the necessary pause to evaluate and reform the country’s mining practices.
The ban will also involve the demobilization of all mining machinery, which will be inventoried and stored by the military’s 48 Engineer’s Regiment.
Kyerematen’s proposal includes an aggressive restoration campaign during the one-year ban, focusing on rehabilitating Ghana’s degraded river bodies and farmlands.
The Water Resources Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant agencies will oversee this significant environmental cleanup initiative. The forestry sector will lead efforts to develop plantations to restore damaged ecosystems, ensuring that lands are fully rehabilitated before any mining activities can resume.
Another crucial element of Kyerematen’s plan is the cancellation of all small-scale mining licenses issued in the past 15 years.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of these licenses to uncover corruption, illegal issuance, and non-compliance with mining regulations. “We must correct the errors of the past to build a sustainable future,” he remarked.
Kyerematen envisions a future for mining in Ghana that prioritizes responsible practices. His plan introduces a Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative, aimed at transforming young individuals previously involved in galamsey into legal, environmentally-conscious miners.
These youth-owned companies will receive seed funding, mining equipment, and managerial and technical support from the government, enabling them to operate sustainable mining ventures on a work-and-pay basis.
The proposal also includes the establishment of Citizens Mining Protection Rights Groups in mining communities to act as watchdogs, ensuring that all mining activities are conducted responsibly, with local communities actively monitoring compliance with environmental standards and regulations.
One of the most significant aspects of the 10-point plan is the proposed legislation that would impose life imprisonment for those found guilty of mining in river bodies or forest reserves.
Kyerematen stressed the importance of stringent measures to deter illegal mining, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive legal framework to facilitate responsible mining.
He highlighted that this short-term strategy is part of a broader vision outlined in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP).
Over the medium to long term, his government would conduct a thorough review of all legislation governing natural resource management, streamline regulatory agencies, and enhance local content in mining operations. His ultimate objective is to establish Ghana as a mineral processing hub for West Africa.
With these sweeping reforms, Kyerematen is confident that Ghana can overcome the galamsey crisis and restore its natural environment. “We have the resources, the will, and the plan to make Ghana great again,” he asserted.
He called on all Ghanaians to support his vision, promising that his government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against galamsey.
“Together, we will end this menace and build a sustainable future for our children,” he vowed.
