Lands Minister must succeed in galamsey fight

The long-standing issue of illegal small-scale mining popularly referred to as galamsey, and the need to implement effective measures to eradicate it from the country seem to be evasive.

It looks as if there is no end in sight in dealing with the menace. Indeed, dealing with this menace has been very daunting, for which reason the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has described it as a national emergency.

The minister may not be far away from right. This is because protecting the country’s vegetation cover and water resources over the years has come with all sorts of challenges, especially as a result of the nefarious actions of illegal small-scale miners.

Unending challenge

Since the launch of Operation Vanguard, some modest gain has been achieved, but halting the menace is still an unending challenge.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shown some consistency in dealing with issues affecting mining operations, including unsustainable mining practices. He has also shown his resolve to protect the country’s vegetation cover.

But all these notwithstanding, the fight has been a daunting one.

The problem is largely because some people with political backing are allowed to engage in the illegal activity, while those without political backing are denied access.

This is not a New Patriotic Party (NPP) or a National Democratic Congress (NDC) matter, but there is enough evidence to show that some political actors are deeply engaged in the act and are, therefore, making the fight a nightmarish one, so very difficult to win.

National dialogue

It is for this reason that I welcome the recently organised two-day national dialogue on illegal mining activities and how to deal with the albatross hanging on the nation’s neck.

Organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the forum drew stakeholders in the mining sector to deliberate and craft a holistic and effective plan on clamping down on the galamsey activities.

Unhappy nation

As a nation, we definitely cannot be enthused about what Ghana is gradually turning into per the activities of illegal miners. Our vegetation and forest cover is being destroyed with reckless abandon.

Although there are laws to guide and regulate the activities of small-scale miners, little or no restriction is in place and anyone and everybody can get into the space to carry out illegal mining and cheekily get away from prosecution.

The law is simply failing to bite and this cannot happen elsewhere, especially in China, some of whose nationals engage in the negative practices here.

Cherish resources

The battle is no child’s play. Can we really put our feet down to stop galamsey? What are and where are the job options?

There is no doubt it could be greed on the part of a few, but for many people involved in the menace, it is also a livelihood matter and survival.

But with commitment from all — duty bearers, politicians, traditional authorities, religious community, opinion leaders, the citizenry, etc — we shall succeed.

From the national dialogue perspective, this is the opportune time to cherish our natural resources and do everything possible to safeguard their exploitation.

Galamsey challenges, as has been said earlier, are not the problem of the NPP or the NDC alone, or for that matter President Akufo-Addo, but a national emergency that call for all hands on deck to deal with the canker.

Walking the talk

Now that the national dialogue on illegal mining has ended, we need to move swiftly to implement its thought-provoking outcomes.

Since the environmental destruction associated with the industry cannot be downplayed, outcomes from the forum must be implemented to the letter, so that it does not become a mere talk shop.

Additionally, there is the need to muster the political will and a concerted approach towards eradicating this menace once and for all.

Key success story

For me, one of the key success stories of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources will be the success he will chalk up in the fight against galamsey. This is where his interest and that of the nation must be paramount and decisive decisions taken to address this national emergency.

All stakeholders, including political parties, must join the execution of this national agenda to rid ourselves of this problem.

As the President said at the dialogue: “We cannot have one part of the political divide campaigning for galamsey in the bush and the other waging an official fight against galamsey in the open.”

Discussing illegalities in that sector should clearly go beyond partisan considerations and all must support efforts at getting law enforcers to work, no matter the subject, high or low.

Writer’s email: kobby.asmah@graphic.com.gh