Step up enforcement to curb galamsey — Coalition tells govt
The Coalition Against Galamsey has called on the government to go beyond press briefings and intensify the fight against illegal mining through firm and sustained law enforcement.
The call was made at a press conference held at the Accra International Press Centre yesterday in response to the Government Accountability Series organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Convener, Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, said the country needed decisive action rather than repeated assurances to halt the destruction caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He acknowledged some progress made by the government but noted that illegal mining continued to devastate forests, rivers and farmlands across the country.
Mr Ashigbey stressed that the fight against galamsey could not be won through press conferences alone, but required bold decisions, strict enforcement of the law and sustained action.
The Coalition welcomed the Attorney-General’s decision to discontinue the prosecution of community members who were arrested while defending their water bodies from illegal mining activities.
It also appealed to the authorities to ensure justice for a 13-year-old victim in Kete Krachi who was allegedly affected by illegal mining.
On forest conservation, the Coalition commended the government for the June 2024 Cabinet decision to revoke Executive Instruments (EI) 144 and 234, which had opened parts of the Achimota Forest for development.
It described the move as a significant step towards safeguarding the Achimota Forest, which it said remained a vital “green lung” for Accra.
However, the Coalition cautioned that several forest reserves were still under serious threat from illegal mining and other forms of encroachment.
It cited the Atewa Forest, Cape Three Points Forest, Afua Hills and the Draw River Forest Reserve as areas facing continued pressure from illegal activities and mining concessions granted despite opposition from local communities.
The Coalition, therefore, called on the government to strengthen the Forestry Commission with adequate logistics, funding and personnel to enhance its operations.
It further proposed stronger security support for the Commission to enable it to deal effectively with illegal miners operating in protected areas.
In addition, the Coalition urged the establishment of permanent security camps in forest reserves to prevent illegal miners from returning after enforcement exercises.
Mr Ashigbey emphasised that protecting Ghana’s forests and water bodies was critical to the country’s future and required collective effort.
He called for sustained collaboration between government, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, local communities and the security agencies to achieve lasting success in tackling galamsey.
The Coalition Against Galamsey comprises professional bodies, labour unions, research institutions, environmental groups and civil society organisations committed to ending illegal mining.
Its members include the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Ghana Institute of Foresters, the Ghana Institute of Engineers, the Institute of Public Relations, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the Chamber of Agribusinesses Ghana and other organisations.
BY ENOCH NTIAMOAH SIAW
