The presidential candidate for the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Alan Kyerematen, alongside his running mate Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD) and other senior members of the Afrafranto Alliance, unveiled a comprehensive 10-point plan on Sunday, September 28, aimed at eradicating illegal mining, commonly known as Galamsey, in Ghana.
This bold and ambitious blueprint was presented at the Ghana International Press Centre and marks a new approach to addressing one of the country’s most pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Kyerematen began his address by acknowledging the extensive damage Galamsey has caused throughout Ghana, describing it as an “existential threat” to the nation’s future. He painted a grim picture of the widespread destruction of water bodies, forests, and farmlands, attributing it to decades of poor governance and policy failures by both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“The two dominant political parties have shown that they neither have the competence, desire, nor political will to address Galamsey,” Kyerematen declared in his speech, emphasizing that the country needs a fresh and decisive strategy.
Central to Kyerematen’s plan is a one-year moratorium on all small-scale and community mining activities, both legal and illegal. He stressed that this pause is essential to assess the country’s current mining practices and implement necessary reforms. During this period, all mining machinery would be demobilized, inventoried, and securely stored by the military’s 48 Engineer Regiment. This would ensure a comprehensive reset of mining operations in Ghana.
An aggressive restoration campaign would be launched simultaneously, focusing on the rehabilitation of Ghana’s degraded water bodies and farmlands.
Under the guidance of the Water Resources Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as other relevant institutions, this massive clean-up would aim to restore the country’s most affected ecosystems. The forestry sector would lead efforts in plantation development, rejuvenating damaged land and ensuring that it is fully restored before mining activities can resume.
A particularly bold move in Kyerematen’s plan is the cancellation of all small-scale mining licenses issued over the past 15 years. He argued that a full audit of these licenses is necessary to uncover corruption, illegal issuance, and violations of mining regulations.
“We must correct the mistakes of the past in order to build a sustainable future,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to addressing the root causes of illegal mining.
Kyerematen’s plan also envisions a transformation in the mining industry with the introduction of the Youth in Responsible Mining Initiative. This initiative would turn young people, previously involved in Galamsey, into legal and environmentally conscious miners.
Under the program, youth-owned companies would receive government support, including seed funding, mining equipment, and technical and managerial assistance. This initiative would enable them to operate as commercially viable, responsible mining businesses on a work-and-pay basis.
The Afrafranto leader further proposed the creation of Citizens Mining Protection Rights Groups in mining communities. These grassroots organizations would serve as watchdogs to ensure that mining activities are conducted responsibly and that local communities play an active role in monitoring compliance with environmental standards and regulations. This would help foster a culture of accountability and community participation in resource management.
One of the most striking aspects of the 10-point plan is Kyerematen’s proposal to impose life imprisonment for anyone found guilty of mining in river bodies or forest reserves.
He stressed that the environmental stakes are too high to allow any leniency, and only severe penalties will effectively deter illegal mining. He insisted that these stringent measures, along with a clear legal pathway for responsible mining, would bring about real change.
Alan Kyerematen emphasized that this short-term strategy is part of a broader, long-term vision encapsulated in his Great Transformational Plan (GTP).
In the medium to long term, his government would undertake a comprehensive review of all legislation governing natural resource management, streamline regulatory agencies, and increase local content in mining operations. His ultimate goal is to transform Ghana into a regional hub for mineral processing, adding significant value to the country’s natural resources.
With these reforms, Kyerematen expressed confidence that Ghana can finally overcome the Galamsey crisis and restore its natural environment. “We have the resources, the will, and the plan to make Ghana great again,” he said, echoing the urgency and hope that underpins his campaign.
In his closing remarks, Alan Kyerematen called on all Ghanaians to support his vision, pledging that his government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against illegal mining. “Together, we will end this menace and build a sustainable future for our children,” he vowed, urging the nation to unite in this critical battle to protect the environment for future generations.
