President John Dramani Mahama has declared illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, a national emergency due to its devastating impact on the environment, especially in parts of the Western North Region.
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Speaking during a durbar at Sefwi-Juaboso on his ‘Thank You Tour’, President Mahama said urgent measures are needed to curb the destruction caused by galamsey in areas like Awasso, Dadieso, and Sefwi-Anhwiaso.
“We are alarmed by the environmental destruction that I witnessed… this is a national emergency,” he said.
“The National Taskforce will continue its efforts to halt illegal mining in forest reserves and water bodies.”
In a related announcement, the President disclosed that the Ministry of Finance will soon issue financial clearance to enable regionally based recruitment into Ghana’s security services.
“We promised to decentralize recruitment into the security services,” Mahama stated.
“Once we get financial clearance, each region will have a quota to enlist its youth into the police, military, fire, immigration, and prison services.”
This regional recruitment model is aimed at ensuring equitable access to job opportunities and strengthening local representation in the country’s security sector, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
