By Ashiadey Dotse
A recent survey conducted by Global Info Analytics has found that 44% of Ghanaians believe the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, has remained the same since John Mahama took office as president in January.
The survey, which studied the current state of illegal mining in Ghana, showed that while 38% of people think the situation has improved, 10% believe it has worsened. Another 9% had no opinion.
The report also looked at the impact of anti-galamsey efforts in mining and non-mining areas. In mining regions, 28% of people said the situation had improved, but 25% thought it had worsened. Meanwhile, 42% believed nothing had changed.
In non-mining areas, 42% of respondents said the fight against galamsey had improved, while 39% felt there was no difference. Only 9% said things had worsened.
As part of ongoing efforts to stop illegal mining, government agencies, civil society groups, and climate activists continue to push for stricter laws.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, former President Mahama has promised that if the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not change the law that allows mining in forest reserves, an NDC government will repeal it.
Recently, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah also called for the repeal of this law, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ending galamsey in forest reserves.
