The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that, the Minerals Commission has between the month of August and September 2024, approved as many as 38 licenses for mining. This was in spite of national outrage against galamsey in recent times. He posted on his X app "Why is the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government still issuing licenses for small scale mining?", he asked, adding that, "Considering the overwhelming national outrage against galamsey due to the atrocious levels of devastation to our river bodies, forests, the entire environment and to our very survival; one would have expected a responsible government to at least halt the issuance of licenses". He revealed that, the figure for the two months is more than half of all licenses approved between January and July this year. "In one day — September 4, 2024, a total of 12 licenses were hurriedly granted ministerial approval", he wrote. Mr Ablakwa disclosed that, in 2024 alone, "the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has so far issued an extremely disturbing number of 70 small scale licenses". He noted that, it is not surprising that the galamsey menace is worsening each day.
Mr Ablakwa
"Remember that environmental activists have discovered that there is hardly any difference between the harm being caused by so-called licensed small scale miners and unlicensed miners", he said. Mr Ablakwa said, President Akufo-Addo must be impeached for not only failing to keep his promise to stop galamsey but for his complicity in authorizing the highest number of mining licenses to reckless elements engaged in destructive and murderous mining.
Mr Martin Kwaku Ayisi, CEO, Minerals Commission
"Dangerous President Akufo-Addo deserves to be severely punished", he added