A new report by Global Info Analytics reveals that 44% of Ghanaians believe the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, has remained unchanged since President John Mahama took office in January this year.
The survey, which explores the current state of illegal mining in Ghana, found that 44% of respondents believe the situation has stayed the same under Mahama.
Only 10% think it has worsened, while 38% feel the situation has improved, and 8% have no opinion on the matter.
The report also examines the effectiveness of anti-galamsey efforts in mining and non-mining regions, as well as at the national level.
At the national level, 38% of respondents said that the fight against illegal mining has improved, while 44% felt there had been no change since January.
Ten percent believed the situation had worsened, and 9% did not have an opinion.
In mining regions, 28% of respondents felt that efforts to combat galamsey had improved, while 25% thought the situation had worsened.
However, 42% believed there had been no change. Only 5% had no opinion.
In non-mining regions, 42% of respondents felt the situation had improved, 9% thought it had worsened, 39% said it had remained the same, and 10% had no opinion.
As part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining, state institutions, civil society organisations, and climate change activists continue to push for stronger measures.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, John Mahama has promised that a future National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would repeal Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2642, which permits mining in forest reserves if the erstwhile NPP government has not addressed the issue by then.
In the past two weeks, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining in forest reserves.
He called for the repeal of L.I. 2462, which grants the president the authority to permit mining in these protected areas.
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