Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is Ghana’s Minister for Communications
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications, has responded to those calling for a ban on small-scale mining due to galamsey.
Galamsey, which is illegal mining, has been a major issue for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as there is strong opposition against him for not being able to tackle the menace.
While the President is recognised for risking his presidency to combat galamsey, the efforts have not been successful, and galamseyers continue to pollute water bodies.
This has led many to question the President’s dedication to the fight, with persistent calls for a ban on all illegal mining activities just two months before the general elections.
But for Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, these calls seem to be much ado about nothing.
During an interview on Peace FM’s flagship program “Kokrokoo,” she explained that illegal mining is already prohibited in Ghana, so those suggesting the President should ban small-scale mining in relation to illegal mining are not addressing the real issue.
“You can’t say we should ban illegal mining. It is already illegal; it is banned. How do you ban something that is already banned?” she stated.
She believes the galamsey situation is the responsibility of the entire nation, stating, “If the President had full support from us, maybe we wouldn’t have reached this point.”
“… when he was taking action, there were individuals going behind his back, promising the galamseyers they could continue their work if they voted against him. We witnessed it; we saw them. People who should have known better were empowering the galamseyers,” she added.
However, she is optimistic that the issue can be addressed if all political parties make a public declaration and commitment to fight against it.
