SONA: “The threat posed to the future of our country by galamsey is grave, and we cannot shirk our responsibilities in dealing with it" - Nana Addo
Nana Addo Dankwa addressed on Thursday, February 20, 2020 during the State Of the Nation’s Address
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The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the danger posed by illegal mining was unhealthy to civilians life hence his government’s effort to fight the risk with continuous support of the Media Coalition.
He hinted that when he came into office in January 2017, galamsey activities were extensive which destroyed lands and polluted water bodies. The activities according to the president negatively affected and endangered human lives yet with the support of parliament in helping to implement the Mining Act and forbidding foreign nationals from participating, inhabitants are secured.
“The threat posed to the future of our country by galamsey is grave, and we cannot shirk our responsibilities in dealing with it. I am appealing to the Media Coalition not to be daunted by the difficulties in the fight against galamsey. Government will not weaken its stance, and welcomes the continuous support of the Media Coalition.
“This Honorable House also did it part by amending the Mining Act to raise the penalties for illegal mining, and prohibiting foreign nationals from participating in any way in small-scale mining. The nation is grateful for the intervention of Parliament,” he added.
Nana Addo Dankwa addressed on Thursday, February 20, 2020 during the State Of the Nation’s Address (SONA) at Ghana’s Parliament House, Accra. He further made known that five hundred youth who were involved in the illicit occupation have so far graduated from Community Development, Vocational and Technical Institutions and equipped with knowledge and tools to start something of their own.
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“When we came into office in January 2017, galamsey activities were rampant in many parts of our country. Our lands, forest and river bodies were been systematically degraded and polluted without any care. And this had been the case for several years.
“Last year, five hundred youth, mainly engaged in illegal mining, were trained and graduated in vocational and technical skills from Community Development Vocational and Technical Institutions. They have been provided with startup tools and equipments,” he uttered.
