Newsfile to discuss Mahama’s galamsey fight, GH¢49.72m evacuation controversy and five-year presidential term proposal

JoyNews’ flagship current affairs programme, Newsfile , will, this Saturday, October 31, discuss the progress of President John Mahama’s administration’s fight against illegal mining, renewed questions over the GH¢49. 72 million spent on evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa, and the debate over extending Ghana’s presidential term from four to five years. The programme, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, will bring these issues under scrutiny as questions continue to emerge over government policy, public accountability and the country’s constitutional arrangements. First, the programme will examine the government’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and whether the measures being implemented are delivering sustainable results.

President John Mahama recently disclosed that more than 8,200 items used in illegal mining had been confiscated, including 135 excavators and almost 200 firearms. He has also announced plans to reclaim 5,000 acres of degraded land from 2027, with GH¢200 million allocated for the exercise. The government has also outlined plans to expand river protection operations and sustain enforcement in areas cleared of illegal miners. But with concerns about the continued impact of illegal mining on water bodies, forests and farmlands, the discussion will examine whether the interventions are translating into lasting progress and what more needs to be done to protect the country’s natural resources. : Mahama says government has seized 8,200 items in galamsey fight . The second issue will focus on the GH¢49. 72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks. The expenditure has come under scrutiny from the Minority, which has raised concerns about alleged discrepancies in flight records,…