The presidential candidate for the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Alan Kyerematen, alongside his running mate Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD) and senior members of the Afrafranto Alliance, has introduced an ambitious 10-point plan aimed at eliminating illegal mining, or galamsey, in Ghana.
Speaking at the Ghana International Press Centre on Sunday, September 28, Mr. Kyerematen described galamsey as an “existential threat” to the nation, criticizing past administrations from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to tackle the issue effectively.
He emphasized the severe environmental damage, including the destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands, resulting from decades of mismanagement.
At the core of Kyerematen’s plan is a one-year total ban on both legal and illegal small-scale mining. This moratorium will enable authorities to reassess mining practices and introduce new reforms. The ban will be supported by demobilizing and storing all mining machinery under the supervision of the military’s 48 Engineer’s Regiment.
The plan also calls for a large-scale environmental restoration effort, with the Water Resources Commission and Environmental Protection Agency leading the cleanup of degraded rivers and farmlands. A plantation development initiative will focus on rejuvenating damaged ecosystems.
One of the most controversial aspects of the plan is the cancellation of all small-scale mining licenses issued over the past 15 years. Kyerematen proposes an audit to uncover corruption and regulatory violations, stating that “we must correct the errors of the past to build a sustainable future.”
Additionally, the initiative includes the creation of a Youth in Responsible Mining program, which will transition former galamsey workers into legal, environmentally sustainable mining ventures. These youth-owned companies will receive government support in the form of funding, equipment, and technical guidance.
To ensure accountability, Kyerematen proposes establishing Citizens Mining Protection Rights Groups in mining communities. These local watchdogs will monitor mining activities, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
The plan’s toughest measure is a proposed law that would impose life imprisonment for those found guilty of mining in rivers or forest reserves, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to future illegal mining activities.
Alan Kyerematen’s broader vision, outlined in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP), includes a long-term overhaul of natural resource management laws, increased local involvement in mining operations, and a focus on transforming Ghana into a West African mineral processing hub.
Concluding his address, Alan Kyerematen urged all Ghanaians to support his vision, promising to eliminate the galamsey menace and restore the country’s environment. “Together, we will end this menace and build a sustainable future for our children,” he declared.
