Galamsey Fight Is A Shared Responsibility – Mireku Duker Tells Media, Gov’t Communicators

George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, has reiterated that the fight against illegal mining, otherwise called “galamsey,” is a shared responsibility that must have the active participation of every Ghanaian.

According to him, government’s relentless campaign to end the menace will not yield the desired result if all stakeholders, including the lay Ghanaian, do not assume their role in the battle.

The Deputy Minister made this known during an engagement with media practitioners and government communicators in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

The forum, held in Kumasi, was aimed at bringing journalists and government communicators up to speed with the progress made by the government in the fight, and sensitize them on the important role they can play in the combat.

He thus gave an elaborate presentation on the battle against illegal mining from 2017 when the Akufo-Addo administration assumed the reins of power in this country.

Mr. Duker’s insightful presentation highlighted some interventions rolled out by government to sanitize the small-scale mining sector.

Among these interventions are the organization of consultative dialogues, declaration of red zones, digitalization of small-scale mining licenses, commissioning of mercury free machines, acquisition of speedboats, activation of the Community Mining Scheme and recruitment of river wardens.

The Deputy Minister, who doubles as Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency in the Western Region, reminded the communicators of their role as liaisons between the government and the public, stating that they are to preach the commendable and instructive efforts and achievements by government and also criticize where necessary.

He also explained in detail the role of government in the fight so as to curb the situation where the ministry is mostly blamed for the ineffectiveness of some state institutions.

He demonstrated with examples that the government and the ministry’s core duty is formulating and implementing policies for the attainment of its objectives for the sector.

He reasoned that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and allied agencies have done an incredible job to facilitate the effective and smooth operation of the security agencies involved in the fight.

He concluded by urging the communicators to provide accurate and truthful information to the public.

source: Anchorghana