The Government has, within this half year, seized 425 excavators and other machinery that were involved in illegal mining (galamsey) activities, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced.
The breakdown for the number of excavators and other machines seized from illegal miners by the Forestry Commission was 177 excavators, four bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 155 pumping machines, 184 changfangs, 15 detector machines, and 10 heavy-duty generators.
He said so far, 1,345 arrests had been made nationwide, and prosecutions were steadily progressing.
Mr Buah made this known when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series press conference held at the Presidency in Accra.
The Government Accountability Series is being organised by the Presidency Communications Bureau as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
Mr Buah reiterated that as part of the broader fight against Galamsey, the Ministry had in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance (Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)-Customs Division), and the Ports and Harbours Authority, initiated a proactive tracking of all imports of excavators and earth-moving equipment from the point of entry.
He noted that so far, 1,200 excavators had been impounded pending validation before clearance at the Tema Port.
Galamsey has significantly impacted various sectors of Ghana’s economy and environment.
Over the years, the effects of this uncontrolled mining activity have become more pronounced, threatening natural resources and livelihoods.
Galamsey has been a major threat to agriculture, which is the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
Galamsey activities often take place on fertile farmlands, displacing farmers and destroying crops. The chemicals used in the mining process, such as mercury and cyanide, seep into the soil and water bodies, making the land unsuitable for cultivation.
Ghana’s rich natural landscapes and historical sites, many of which are located in areas affected by galamsey, have also taken a hit.
Ecotourism ventures that rely on pristine environments, including rivers and forests, are facing a decline in visitors as illegal mining scars the land and pollutes the water bodies.
The degradation of these areas makes them less attractive to tourists, leading to a loss of income for local businesses and a decrease in tourism revenue for the country.
