The issue of illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, has sparked intense debate in Ghana. A private legal practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, has expressed disappointment with President John Dramani Mahama's approach to tackling the problem. Brako-Powers described the President's handling of galamsey as "pathetic" and believes it will define his legacy after 2028.
According to Brako-Powers, if the President is genuinely committed to fighting galamsey, Ghanaians would have been given clear timelines for ending the menace. He questioned the effectiveness of the government's plan to deploy unarmed civilians, known as Water Guard, to areas dominated by heavily armed and dangerous individuals. Brako-Powers believes that the President can end galamsey today if he is truly committed to doing so.
Brako-Powers' sentiments are echoed by a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor. Jinapor urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration to fulfill its promise to declare a state of emergency in districts affected by illegal small-scale mining. He stressed the need for the government to honor its manifesto promise made while in opposition.
The call for a state of emergency has also been supported by the Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ken Ashigbey. Ashigbey believes that declaring a state of emergency would provide more impetus to stakeholders charged with the responsibility of nipping the practice in the bud. He also suggested that efforts should be made to track all active excavators in Ghana and unearth the real owners of the excavators brought into the country for illegal mining.
Ashigbey's proposal includes using the chassis numbers of the excavators to track the real owners and tracing the sources of funding for the excavators. He believes that this approach would help to identify those responsible for importing the excavators into the country.
The Executive Director of A Rocha, Daryl Bossu, has also weighed in on the issue. Bossu stated that many of Ghana's forest reserves are currently under siege by illegal small-scale miners. According to Bossu, the number of forests captured by the illegal miners is more than the 44 reported by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Bossu sympathized with the government, acknowledging that they inherited the situation. However, he emphasized the need for urgent action to address the problem. The galamsey crisis has become a national disaster, and many Ghanaians are calling for a more robust approach to tackling the issue.
The government's handling of galamsey has been criticized by many, with some accusing them of lacking commitment and sincerity. Brako-Powers' statement highlights the need for a more effective approach to addressing the problem. The call for a state of emergency in affected districts is gaining momentum, and it remains to be seen whether the government will take decisive action to tackle the issue.
In conclusion, the galamsey crisis is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. The government's response to the problem has been met with skepticism, and many are calling for more decisive action. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to find a solution to this national disaster.
Key Issues
- The government's handling of galamsey has been criticized for being ineffective
- A state of emergency has been proposed as a possible solution to the crisis
- The use of unarmed civilians to tackle heavily armed individuals has been questioned
- Efforts to track active excavators and identify the real owners of excavators brought into the country for illegal mining have been suggested
- The galamsey crisis has become a national disaster, with many forest reserves under siege by illegal small-scale miners
The galamsey crisis requires urgent attention, and the government must take decisive action to address the problem. The call for a state of emergency is gaining momentum, and it is essential for stakeholders to work together to find a solution to this national disaster.
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