GHC20bn required to fix damaged ‘galamsey’ lands – Amewu

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources John Peter Amewu has disclosed that an amount of GHC20billion would be needed to fix the ghastly effects of illegal mining.

He explained that it would cost the State about GHC70, 000 to recover a hectare of destroyed land.

According to statistics, about 1.5 percent of the country’s land surface of 228,000 square kilometres had been destroyed due to illegal mining and that to reclaim it the aforementioned amount would be required.

“This is something we can do with availability of funds,” said Mr. Amewu in an interview.

Following the expiration of the three-week ultimatum announced by Mr. Amewu over 500 excavators had been evacuated from the various illegal mining sites in the country, the Chief Executive of the Minerals Commission Dr Tony Aubyn said last week.

He said the excavators are being moved by the operators of the mining sites themselves without any intervention by the State.

Ghana is on a national campaign to rid the country of galamsey – local word for illegal mining – which has destroyed many of the country’s water bodies.

Chinese nationals in Ghana are known to be leading the galamsey exploits in the country. It is believed that Ghana will be importing water in the next ten years if galamsey is allowed to continue.

Speaking on Morning Starr, Mr. Aubyn said the cooperation by the illegal miners have been impressive.

President Akufo-Addo declared on April 21, 2017 his government would ruthlessly deal with the debilitating menace.

“The Ghana handed down to us by our forefathers is the same Ghana we must leave for the unborn generations. We must not allow Galamsey to destroy our country, no way,” the president said at a durbar at the Dormaahene’s Palace in the Brong Ahafo region.