Galamsey knows no party colour – Sam George warns of national consequences

Minister Samuel Nartey George has criticized illegal mining, known as galamsey. He called those involved enemies of the state.

He spoke during an interview with Naa Dedei Tettey on Morning Starr. He addressed the environmental crisis affecting Ghana.

“When they contaminate the water, it affects everyone,” he said. “If you’re engaged in illegal mining, you are a criminal.” His comments highlight that polluted water impacts all Ghanaians, regardless of politics.

George discussed the government's decision to amend Legislative Instrument (LI 2462). He acknowledged concerns about how this could affect public support for the government.

“If we don’t handle galamsey well, it could erode goodwill,” he warned. This sentiment aligns with fears from environmentalists and civil society groups.

Despite these challenges, George remains optimistic. He noted a recent military operation against illegal miners as a positive step.

“I’m confident in what Kofi Armah Buah and Dr. Omane Boamah are doing,” he stated. “In the short term, we should see more action like we saw recently.”