The presidential candidate for the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has laid out a detailed plan to tackle illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, with a focus on demobilising the equipment used in the activity.

Mr Kyerematen criticised the current government’s approach of seizing and burning excavators, calling it ineffective and short-sighted.

According to the former Trade Minister, the practice of burning equipment does not offer a long-term solution to the galamsey crisis.

He proposed a more strategic approach that involves the military in a systematic and sustainable demobilisation of mining machinery.

This, he believes, will better address the root of the problem without causing unnecessary destruction.

The demobilisation plan is part of Kyerematen’s broader 10-point blueprint to combat illegal mining.

A key aspect of this blueprint is a one-year nationwide ban on small-scale and community mining, which will provide the necessary time to introduce proper regulations and rehabilitate the damaged environment.

He has called for a shift in government policy, advocating for a more measured and impactful response to the galamsey issue, which continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s land and water resources.

“Demobilisation of all machinery and equipment that are currently used in small-scale and community mining. Under the supervision of the military, if you demobilise equipment, you need to do three things- first, you need to keep them under inventory, two, you need to have them properly stored and three, you preserve them.”

“This practice of burning equipment doesn’t make any sense. And that is why the GTP (Great Transformational Plan) proposes that you demobilise, and inventorise them so that you know what you have. Otherwise, after one year, they will be out of use,” he stated.

Government has spent approximately GH¢30.4 million in implementing the Rental Assistance Scheme rolled out on January 31, 2023. 

The Scheme has benefitted 2,336 individuals so far, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Works and Housing, announced this during the Minister’s news briefing in Accra. 

Under the Scheme, the government makes an advance payment for applicants who are renewing, renting a room/apartment or a complete house. The applicant will, therefore, repay the monthly rent to match the tenure of the rent. 

The briefing focused on government’s efforts to resolve the stalled housing projects, develop public public-private partnership framework with incentives to close the housing deficit, ensure sustainable financing for housing projects, fast-track the completion of affordable housing projects and secure and grow land banks. 

The minister highlighted some of the priority affordable housing projects the Ministry had tackled to close the housing deficit in the country. 

He mentioned the 8,000 housing units under the Pokuase-Afiaman Housing Project, 5,000 Saglemi Housing Project, of which 1,506 were partially completed, 342  units of houses under the Koforidua Affordable Housing Project, 1,904 housing units under the Tema Development Company (TDC), of which 1,072 completed, and the ongoing 609 housing units for public sector workers, which would be ready in October, this year, for distribution to interested applicants. 

“This government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing decent, safe, secure and affordable housing for all its citizens,” Mr Oppong Nkrumah assured. 

According to Population and Housing Census data, Ghana’s housing deficit has significantly decreased from 2.8 million in 2010 to 1.8 million in 2021, representing a 33 per cent reduction. 

The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has called on the Ghanaian church to unite and address the rampant issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

He emphasised that a collective voice from religious leaders can have a significant impact on combating this crisis, which has led to severe environmental degradation and health risks for local communities.

Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV, Mr George pointed out that the church has a moral obligation to speak out against activities that harm the nation’s resources and threaten the livelihoods of its citizens.

He argued that when the church remains silent on pressing social issues, it fails in its duty to advocate for justice and righteousness in society.

The lawmaker highlighted the role of faith-based organizations in mobilizing communities and raising awareness about the dangers of galamsey.

By coming together and amplifying their message, churches can encourage members to take action and hold both the government and illegal miners accountable for their actions.

Sam George urged church leaders to set aside denominational differences and focus on the common goal of safeguarding Ghana’s environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

“If the Church played its role well and offered more pastoral care, I believe that the church will be the place where you will hold people accountable. If the church was speaking with one voice with 70% of its population, today, we’re talking about galamsey, if the church were to take a stand, there would be no grouping, it would compel whoever is sitting in that office.”

“Whether they’re PYZ or FPQ, they would listen. The bottom line is if they were to use that kind of moral suasion to steer the affairs of the populace, and the affairs of the state I believe we would be in a better place,” he said.