By Ashiadey Dotse
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA) on January 3, 2025, the president spoke passionately about his administration’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
President Akufo-Addo reminded Parliament of his strong commitment to tackling galamsey since his inaugural speech on January 7, 2017. He acknowledged that the fight against illegal mining was not a popular political decision and admitted it cost his party several parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections.
He emphasized that despite these challenges, protecting Ghana’s lands and water bodies remained a top priority. The President urged all Ghanaians to recognize the importance of safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted several achievements in the mining sector during his tenure. He noted the revival of dormant mines, including Bibiani Mines, and the development of the Cardinal Namdini Mine, the first large-scale mine in northern Ghana in over a decade.
He also mentioned ongoing projects such as the construction of a gold refinery with a 400-kilogram capacity through a public-private partnership, as well as plans for a $450 million manganese refinery at Nsuta.
In addition, he spoke about the establishment of the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation and the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation, aimed at adding value to the country’s mineral resources, creating jobs, and boosting revenue.
On environmental conservation, President Akufo-Addo revealed that between 2017 and 2023, 121,000 hectares of degraded forests had been restored under Ghana’s Forest Plantation Strategy. He added that the Green Ghana Project successfully planted 52 million trees, showing Ghana’s commitment to fighting climate change.
The President concluded by urging all stakeholders to continue the fight against galamsey and support sustainable practices in the mining and forestry sectors to secure Ghana’s natural wealth for future generations.
