Political Exposed Persons are Spreading 'Galamsey' – They Must Be Blocked
The illegal mining activity of "galamsey" has turned into a significant environmental and socio-economic challenge in Ghana, with ruinous impacts on the nation's natural resources, public health, and national economy. Efforts have been made by the government, civil society, and citizens to stem the evil, but a new and concerning dimension has now appeared: the involvement of Political Exposed Persons (PEPs) in aggravating the galamsey menace.
Understanding Political Exposed Persons (PEPs)
A Political Exposed Person is one who holds an elite position or office in the government or public agency. They may be elected officers, senior government officials, senior members of the judiciary, or their close relatives. Due to their influence and control over resources, the PEPs are in a position to influence significantly in shaping policies, decision-making, and economic action in spheres of influence. This privileged status at times gives them authority to disregard the law and regulation, such as laws aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring legal economic endeavors.
The Role of PEPs in Galamsey
Reports in recent years have revealed that there have been some veteran political leaders who have been involved in illegal mining in one form or another. These political leaders have used their political power to escape the law, acquire mining concessions illegally, and even engage in galamsey operations in violation of environmental laws.
Perhaps the most significant role played by PEPs in the galamsey crisis is the unauthorized award of mining licenses. Despite the presence of government policies to control and monitor mining, some PEPs take advantage of their position by issuing permits or concessions to themselves or their friends at the cost of local communities and the environment. These illegal mining activities tend to lead to indiscriminate forest, water body, and agricultural land destruction, leading to permanent environmental degradation.
Additionally, PEPs typically use their political influence to protect illegal mining activities from law enforcement. State security agencies, which are responsible for enforcing mining regulations, in certain cases, are bribed or intimidated by these influential individuals to turn a blind eye to the illegal activities. This has resulted in a culture of impunity, where the offenders of the degradation of natural resources and the violation of environmental laws believe they can do so with impunity.
The Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact
The role of PEPs in galamsey has serious implications. The impact of illegal mining on the environment is devastating, resulting in deforestation, water pollution, and soil erosion. The pollution of water bodies by toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide poses serious risks to the lives of millions of Ghanaians who rely on such resources for water supply, fishing, and agriculture.
The impact is not only ecological but also economic. Galamsey operations, with no respect for health and safety, have resulted in major accidents and fatalities among the miners. Moreover, as they are illegal operations, the profits from the operations do not go into the national economy through taxation and regulation. Instead, they get concentrated to a few individuals while communities become impoverished and exposed to environmental hazards.
The active involvement of PEPs in galamsey undermines the rule of law and fosters a culture of corruption. When the government loses the people's confidence, people lose trust in the fight against galamsey, believing that the powers that be are in cahoots with or actively engaged in the activity.
The Call for Accountability
It is imperative that the Ghanaian government move with all speed and take decisive action against PEPs for their complicity in illicit mining. It begins with robust enforcement of the mining laws, transparency in issuing mining licenses, and establishment of independent institutions for monitoring and undertaking investigations into galamsey activities.
The government would also need to work with the judiciary to see that the offenders, including the PEPs, are charged and punished. This would send a powerful signal that no individual, including the political elite, is exempted from the law. Additionally, the people would need to be empowered to report instances of galamsey without fear of reprisals, creating a culture of accountability that will ultimately stifle galamsey.
Additionally, attention needs to be paid to dealing with the reasons behind galamsey, that is, unemployment and poverty. In most cases, people find themselves involved in illegal mining activities for survival; thus, attention must be focused on providing people with alternative sources of livelihood such that communities do not get victimized by parties interested in getting enriched at the expense of harming their environment.
Conclusion
The contribution of Political Exposed Persons to perpetuating the galamsey crisis is a critical issue that has to be taken into consideration. They use their power and influence to perpetuate the environmental and socio-economic degradation caused by illicit mining, contravening efforts aimed at protecting the nation's resources and people. To terminate the galamsey menace in Ghana, there is a need to ensure PEPs are held accountable for their actions. It is only political will, legal enforcement, and transparency that allow the country any hope of shielding its environment and providing a viable future for generations to come. The time is now – galamsey has to be stopped, and culprits in perpetuating same must be dealt with.
blogpay
Political Exposed Persons are Spreading 'Galamsey' – They Must Be Blocked
Total Comments: 0