News
Govt still committed to fighting “Galamsey” – Beatrice Annan
A member of the communications team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Beatrice Annan, has reiterated Government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In an interview at TV3, she said the government had reclaimed about eight out of nine forest reserves which were previously out of bounds to anti-galamsey campaigners.
She asserted that no government official was involved in illegal mining activities.
According to her, even when the names of some NDC national executives were mentioned in connection with galamsey, the government immediately called for investigations, showing its determination to tackle the menace.
Ms. Annan explained that a new policy was being developed to work with communities to reclaim degraded lands and promote responsible mining practices.
She agreed with calls to end galamsey but noted that some miners had valid licenses, while others operated illegally or exceeded their license limits.
She said the government’s approach to the issue was multifaceted.
Ms. Annan added that galamsey was one of the major challenges facing the country.
She assured Ghanaians that President Mahama was determined to end the practice, even if it meant holding members of his own party accountable.
She referenced a recent video post by journalist Erastus Asare-Donkor showing community action against illegal mining, saying such efforts underscored the urgency of the fight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Abena Osei Asare has expressed concerns about the failure of the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Mr. Paul Adjei to honour invitation of the Committee to assist in dealing with abandoned projects cited in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report.
She emphasised that some of the projects have been abandoned for more than 20 years and it kept reoccurring in the Auditor-General’s report yearly, stressing that the GETFund Administrator could assist by prioritising these projects.
However, he has failed to personally appear before the Committee since the commencement of the Committee’s public hearing in the 9th Parliament.
According to the 2024 Auditor-General’s report on Pre-University Educational Institutions, nine (9) Institutions with 16 projects awarded by the GET Fund Secretariat had been abandoned/delayed for a period ranging between three (3) and 28 years.
Some of the affected schools include Adanwomoase Senior High School (Boys and Girls dormitory abandoned for 12 years), Atoa Senior High School (Home Economics Block abandoned for 27 years), Beposo Senior High School (Dinning Hall and Kitchen Complex abandoned for 10 years and lastly KNUST Senior High School (Three storey classroom block abandoned for 20 years).
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy continued its oversight responsibilities with a working visit to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) yesterday.
Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, said the visit formed part of efforts to familiarize members with the Authority’s operations and to explore ways Parliament could provide the necessary support.
He explained that the NPA’s work is focused on regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, a critical area for national energy security.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the Committee is particularly interested in assessing whether the country has adequate petroleum stock to meet demand.
He noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing US–Iran conflict, could have adverse effect on Ghana’s energy supply and pricing.
He further disclosed that the Committee intends to engage closely with the Authority on a proposed new petroleum bill.
According to him, a draft of the legislation will be reviewed and possibly presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
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