CSOs in Agribusiness Call for Dismissal of Lands and Natural Resources Minister and Deputies | General News

Pressure continues to mount on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor as the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Agriculture comprising of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries call for the immediate resignation or outright dismissal together with his deputies.

The demand made by the CSOs in the Agriculture and Aquaculture sector is in tangent with the recent devastating impact of the illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey which has engulfed some parts of the country.

According to the CSOs, the worsening effects of illegal mining activities which continue to devastate the environment and livelihoods across the country is largely due to the inability of the leadership of the ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to take drastic measures in nipping the menace in the bud.

The CSOs maintain that the lands and Natural resources minister together with his deputies have failed to effectively address the crisis and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Chamber of Agribusiness noted that “we the coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, representing key industry bodies and stakeholders, urgently calls upon Ghana’s president, the executive and parliament to address the critical issue of illegal mining (galamsey) wreaking havoc on the nation’s agricultural and aquatic ecosystems.”

“The coalition demands immediate and decisive actions to combat galamsey:

1) Cease all galamsey operations immediately.

2) Immediate resignation or dismissal of the Minister for Mines and Natural Resources and his deputies.

3) Restore degraded lands and prosecute perpetrators.

4) Implement sustainable mining practices and support affected communities and industries.

5) Set up a National Anti-Galamsey Steering Committee comprising respected non-partisan citizens and key stakeholders.”

“6) Deployment of military and police personnel to affected areas.

7) Urgent implementation of measures to halt galamsey operations and conduct environmental assessments.

8) Provision of alternative livelihoods, development of a National Mining Policy, and setup of a Galamsey Rehabilitation Fund.

9) Promotion of agroforestry and reforestation efforts.