Women in Timber Ghana Association & Women in Forestry demand urgent end to galamsey

The Women in Timber Ghana Association (WiTG), in collaboration with the Women in Forestry platform, has urged the government to immediately revoke LI 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves.

They also called for the withdrawal of all licenses granted under LI 2462 for prospecting and mining in forests, protected reserve areas, and around water bodies.

In a statement dated September 24, 2024, signed by the group's President, Ernestina Owusu Banahene, and Secretary, Beatrice Baah, they urged law enforcement agencies to destroy by burning any equipment used in alluvial mining and to prosecute those involved.

The group expressed grave concern over the rising illegal mining activities, emphasizing that it poses a significant threat to the country's environment and people, stating, "We would like to register our displeasure at the surge in destructive mining activities, especially during this election year."

They added, "The menace of illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey” continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s forest and water resources, the agriculture sector as well as and affecting livelihoods. As women operating along the timber supply chain and as concerned citizens and stakeholders, we call for a stop to galamsey now."

The group further indicated that "Women in Timber Ghana Association and our allied women of the Women in Forestry Platform are alarmed by the accelerated destruction of gazetted forest areas, which are critical for biodiversity, climate change regulation as well as the livelihoods of our members.

The group said if the government is unable to stop the menace by the end of September, they will "join other organisations calling for a nationwide demonstration on the menace."

Full statement 

We, the members of our noble association (Women in Timber Ghana Association - WiTG) together with the platform of Women in Forestry would like to register our displeasure on the surge in destructive mining activities especially during this election year.

The menace of illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey” continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s forest and water resources, the agriculture sector as well as and affecting livelihoods. As women operating along the timber supply chain and as concerned citizens and stakeholders, we call for a stop to galamsey now.

Recent reports have highlighted the severe impacts of illegal mining on Ghana’s vital ecosystems such as forests and water resources. Women in Timber Ghana Association and our allied women of the Women in Forestry Platform are alarmed by the accelerated destruction of gazetted forest areas, which are critical for biodiversity, climate change regulation as well as the livelihoods of our members. Illegal mining activities (galamsey) are not only degrading land and water resources, but are also contributing to loss of habitats and soil erosion. Additionally, rivers and streams which serve as sources of domestic water are contaminated affecting the health of residents. The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWLC) has confirmed that it is unable to distribute water to some residential areas within its catchment distribution zones because of high contamination of sources of water in-take for treatment. Almost all the water bodies serving as sources of domestic water for most Ghanaians have been affected. Currently, major rivers like Pra, Ankobra and Birim have been affected by toxic chemicals used in all forms of alluvial mining, and this is threatening agriculture, potable water supplies and biodiversity. The agricultural sector is also affected because lands for farming have been turned to galamsey sites and this is obviously posing a threat to national food security and farmers’ the livelihoods.

Therefore, we, the members of Women in Timber Ghana Association and Women in Forestry are calling on government to take the following actions immediately:

1. Revoke LI 2462 (which permits mining in forest reserves) and also withdraw all licenses that have been granted under it for prospecting and mining in forests, protected reserves areas and around water bodies.

2. The appropriate law enforcement authorities should destroy by burning any mining equipment used in alluvial mining and those involved be prosecuted  

Women in Timber Ghana Association together with the platform for Women in Forestry are calling for an urgent action to be taken on galamsey by end of September, 2024. If this issue is not addressed, then we will join other organizations calling for a nationwide demonstration on the menace.