<<Print>>

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called for a national discourse on illegal mining, locally referred to as galamsey.

According to him, the galamsey is a major economic menace, however he would like to have an open discussion on whether or not galamsey should be allowed in the nation.

The President, delivering his end of term nation address on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, said; ''Should we allow or not allow galamsey? The illegal mining that leads to the pollution of our waterbodies and the devastation of our landscape; as I have said often, the Almighty God having blessed us with considerable deposits of precious minerals, there would always be mining in Ghana. Indeed, there has been mining in Ghana''.

''The problem we have is the use of modern technology that leads to the illegal mining methods posing serious dangers to our waterbodies and the health of our environment. The pollution of our rivers and water resources has been so acute on occasion that the Ghana Water Company is unable to afford the distilling of water to make for safe drinking. We have to talk about galamsey. We, who are leaders, owe it to the country to take the subject out of party political arena and have an honest conversation about this menace to our future.''

President Akufo-Addo delivers the nation address in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 constitution.

He is set to be sworn in for a second term on Thursday, January 7, 2021 having had his mandate renewed by the Ghanaian people in the 2020 Presidential elections.