President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to position Ghana as a bridge that will enhance unity across the ECOWAS sub-region. He explained that the founding fathers of ECOWAS chose cooperation over rivalry, enabling the community to develop into a vital diplomatic force on the continent. Launching the 50th anniversary of the sub-regional bloc in Accra yesterday, the President stated that member states need to safeguard and strengthen the bloc’s legacy of engagement, dialogue, and mediation, especially in the face of emerging challenges such as violent extremism and political instability.
"Ghana stands ready to serve as a bridge to strengthen West African unity," he emphasized, stressing the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts within the sub-region. He added that Ghana would continue to prioritize diplomatic re-engagement with its neighbors and mentioned the appointment of a special envoy to initiate high-level conversations with the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, countries that left the ECOWAS bloc to form their own coalition.
President Mahama called for continued engagement through understanding, dialogue, and a willingness to listen. He further urged for an extension of diplomatic commitment to economic, social, and cultural dimensions, which include normalizing trade negotiations, facilitating the free movement of people, and championing cooperation in education and health. He pointed out that diplomacy should extend beyond merely resolving conflicts to encompass economic, social, and cultural aspects.
In his announcement, President Mahama stated that the Ghanaian government would provide 1,000 scholarships to tertiary students from across the sub-region to study in Ghana’s universities. This initiative aims to foster deeper connections among the youth and shift perceptions from rivalry to partnership. “This is not just a gesture. It is an act of solidarity. It is a bridge to a future where many young people will grow up seeing each other not as rivals but as partners.”
In another development, multi-stakeholder collaboration has revealed crucial leads that can help trace seized excavators from the illegal mining business to their owners for appropriate action against those sponsoring environmental crimes. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed this in response to a question from the Daily Graphic at a press briefing in Accra last Monday. He indicated that collaboration among the ministry and its agencies, such as the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission, National Security, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), had uncovered the unique vehicle identification codes (chassis numbers) of confiscated excavators used for illegal mining. These chassis numbers are aiding the investigation process to identify the individuals behind the heavy equipment utilized in galamsey (illegal mining).
Elaborating on steps to track down financiers of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, Mr. Buah stated that the process would reveal the owners of excavators involved in these activities, leading to their prosecution. "I cannot disclose every detail publicly right now, but I can assure you that in collaboration with the DVLA and National Security, we are making progress and will stop at nothing to connect every dot to identify all the financiers of these criminal activities against the state," he emphasized.
Since the fight against galamsey gained traction in 2017, many environmentalists, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other concerned Ghanaians have raised concerns about why those financing these illegal operations have yet to be held accountable. Although it is often alleged that some key financiers are behind galamsey, such claims remain anecdotal, as none have been arrested. This issue is significant given that excavators seized in galamsey operations have identifiable chassis numbers, allowing for tracing to their owners.
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When the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed office on January 7 this year and Mr. Buah was appointed Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, it was clear a new era in the fight against galamsey was approaching. Measures have been implemented since then, including intelligence-led raids on illegal mining sites in forest reserves, revocation of all small-scale mining licenses issued after December 7, 2024, the establishment of a committee to review existing small-scale mining licenses, and the launch of initiatives aimed at restoring degraded landscapes and water bodies.
Within a short period of active engagement by security agencies and the rapid response team from the Forestry Commission in forest reserves, at least 150 excavators have been seized. On April 15, a joint task force comprising military personnel and Forestry Commission officials destroyed a village, known as Abrewa Nni Nkran, that housed over 10,000 residents believed to be illegal miners in the Western Region, located deep within the Subri River Forest Reserve.