The Minority Caucus in Parliament says the government's meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)  was a publicity stunt calculated to cover up it’s failed attempts at dealing with illegal mining.

In an immediate communique released earlier today, the Minority expressed dissatisfaction about the government's poor effort in the fight against illegal mining. 

“It is obvious that the galamsey menace keeps worsening by the day. We are, therefore, surprised that amid increasing turbidity levels, the President of the Republic could look into the eyes of Ghanaians and tell us he is winning the fight against illegal mining,” the statement said.

They urged President Mahama and his Government to demonstrate real political will in the fight against galamsey.

“Ghanaians can no longer be subjected to propaganda and publicity gimmicks in place of genuine solutions.

The nation requires competent and effective governance in the public interest.

We therefore call on Civil Society Organisations, the Clergy, traditional leaders, and all stakeholders to speak out, just as they did in times past, in defense of our collective national interest,” the statement added.

The Minority also outlined some of the measures that were put in place by the Akufo-Addo Government in 2017.

According to them, these measures helped to come to grips with the illegal mining menace. 

Akufo-Addo's Government placed a six-month moratorium on all forms of small-scale mining (legal or illegal), which was extended for a period of one and a half years. 

During this period, they also established the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM) to coordinate the fight against illegal mining. 

The New Patriotic Party also launched Operation Vanguard to rid water bodies and forest reserves of mining in partnership with George Grant University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa (UMaT).

Trained some four thousand (4000) small-scale miners to undertake responsible and environmentally-sound small-scale mining practices.

There was also an amendment of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) to enhance the punishment for offences relating to illegal mining.