Prof. Akudugu revealed that the meeting follows a formal request by the coalition to meet President John Dramani Mahama over the worsening illegal mining situation.

However, the President referred the matter to the Lands Minister for immediate engagement.

“We had hoped to meet the President directly to present new evidence and demand urgent action, but he has directed us to meet with Minister Kofi-Buah.

That meeting will take place in two days,” Prof. Akudugu stated.

At the heart of GCAG’s advocacy is a firm call for the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining activities in forest reserves.

The coalition insists that the existence of the law undermines the national fight against galamsey, regardless of any amendments.

“For us as a coalition, our demand is for the L.I. to be repealed, and we stand by it.

As long as it remains in force, the government cannot claim to be serious about fighting galamsey,” Prof. Akudugu emphasised.

He added that GCAG has compiled additional evidence on the impact of illegal mining and plans to present it to the government during the meeting.

The coalition is also renewing its call for a state of emergency to be declared in illegal mining hotspots across the country. According to Prof. Akudugu, the environmental destruction caused by galamsey has reached alarming levels and requires extraordinary interventions.

He spoke during an interview on Accra-based Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.