James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, has criticized the government for its inadequate response to illegal mining, or “galamsey.”
Avedzi expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of decisive action, highlighting failures by both President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Forestry Commission to effectively address the issue.
His remarks came after a presentation by the Forestry Commission to the PAC, where they outlined various interventions aimed at combating illegal mining.
On Tuesday, August 13, Hugh Brown, Executive Director of the Forest Service Division of the Forestry Commission, updated the PAC on the progress made in addressing the problem.
In his presentation, Hugh Brown, Executive Director of the Forest Service Division of the Forestry Commission, reported that since January 2022, the Commission has immobilized over 160 excavators and arrested more than 400 individuals. In 2023 alone, 281 people were arrested, but only 22 cases were successfully tried, with most still pending.
Despite these efforts, James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, remains unconvinced that the government is addressing illegal mining with the required urgency and effectiveness.
“You have painted a very good picture that things are getting better. I doubt it. Something that the president could not solve, how can you a small boy solve it? The president couldn’t solve it. As for this illegal mining thing, I am not sure the answer you have given here is anything to go by.”
