Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara confronted President John Dramani Mahama with how illegal mining in Ghana commonly known as galamsey, is having negative effects on Côte d’Ivoire.
A number of Ghanaian rivers polluted by galamsey, including Bia and Tano run through Côte d’Ivoire and are threatening livelihoods of the people of that country.
During Mahama’s one-day visit to Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday, March 4, Ouattara explained during a joint news conference that the galamsey issue in Ghana is having a negative impact on the environment of his country.
The high-level discussions focused on defence, economic cooperation, cocoa trade, illegal mining and regional security.
Mahama admits
Responding Mahama admitted that environmental destruction in Ghana surely affects Côte d’Ivoire. “So we note the responsibility on our side to halt environmental destruction as a result of illegal mining,” Mahama stated.
He said already, his government has begun efforts to restore 44 forest reserves that have been invaded by illegal hold miners. He explained that the strategy is first to get the illegal miners out of the forests and then start work towards restoring the forests.
