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The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has appealed to the government to take immediate and decisive action against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
At a press briefing at the weekend here in Kumasi, the Association highlighted its deep concern over the destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and forests caused by illegal mining.
The occasion was part of the Association’s initiative, dubbed ‘Operation save our waters: A quest for equity.’
Addressed by Mr Godwin Armah, the General Secretary of GNASSM, it emphasised the unity displayed by various stakeholders, including organised labour, civil society organisations (CSOs), and religious bodies, all of whom have expressed their disapproval of illegal mining activities, stressing “this collective voice, according to GNASSM, is unprecedented in addressing an issue of national significance”.
Mr Armah outlined the Association’s long-standing efforts to prevent illegal mining and stressed their commitment to supporting the fight against the ongoing menace.
Sharing key steps the Association was taking in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders, he said GNASSM would deploy its taskforce to water bodies to arrest illegal miners and stop the pollution of rivers.
The taskforce, he said, would also target miners operating dangerously close to highways and those involved in the fabrication of dredgers, and called for government support in the form of personnel and logistical aid to ensure the success of the initiative.
He urged the government to reconsider the granting of mining licenses for operations within forest reserves, as those areas were critical to the country’s environmental sustainability.
Mr Armah reiterated that galamsey was illegal under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended, and called on the government to enforce the existing laws through its agencies, ensuring that offenders were sanctioned appropriately.
He acknowledged the concerns of organised labour, which has threatened a nationwide strike on October 10, over illegal mining, as he appealed to the government to provide a clear and credible solution to address the ‘galamsey’ issue and avert the damaging impact of a general strike on Ghana’s fragile economy.
The General Secretary called for a bipartisan approach to dealing with the illegal mining crisis, urging politicians to refrain from using the issue for personal gain and to focus on finding long-term, sustainable solutions.
Emphasising the economic importance of the small-scale mining sector, he said it contributed 40 per cent of Ghana’s merchandised exports and provided employment to about one million people directly, with an estimated four million others depending on the sector indirectly.
He pointed out that the small-scale mining industry played a crucial role in supplying raw gold for local value addition and supporting downstream job opportunities, but noted that “while illegal mining poses a significant environmental threat, unemployment, food and water shortages are equally serious security risks”.
Mr Armah called for a balanced approach that would address both the environmental concerns and the economic livelihood of those who depended on small-scale mining.
He urged organised labour to reconsider its planned strike and work alongside the government to find a lasting solution to the galamsey problem.
Mr Armah expressed optimism that the unified pressure from Ghanaians has created a critical opportunity to eradicate illegal mining once and for all.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
