Ing Ken Ashigbey(1st from left), Emmanuael Armah-Kofi Buah and Senyo Hosi
Representatives of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey and Senyo Hosi, have urged the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to take decisive action in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey).
Their key demands include an investigation into politically affiliated mining companies, declaring a state of emergency in nine forest reserves affected by illegal mining, addressing security threats posed by galamsey operations, and probing the sources of firearms used by illegal miners.
Ing. Dr. Ashigbey emphasized that the fight against illegal mining has been severely undermined by the involvement of high-profile politicians.
He stressed that holding these individuals accountable is crucial for the government’s efforts to be successful. “Unless these influential figures are brought to justice, the fight against galamsey will remain an uphill battle,” he asserted.
To tackle the crisis more effectively, Ing. Ashigbey also proposed a national roundtable discussion to address the root causes of galamsey, deliberate on sustainable solutions, and engage the public in finding lasting remedies.
Echoing these concerns, Senyo Hosi urged the Minister to act swiftly and prioritize public engagement. “We need active participation, starting with monitoring the turbidity levels of our water bodies. Honest assessments and transparent communication are crucial to keeping the public informed and involved,” he added.
Reaffirming the Coalition’s commitment, Hosi emphasized that their advocacy is non-partisan. “We stand for Ghana, not for any political party. We are committed to supporting the President in this fight, but we need more transparency on ongoing efforts to help communicate progress to the public,” he noted.
Government’s Response
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, welcomed the Coalition’s concerns and commended their dedication.
He outlined the government’s ongoing initiatives to combat illegal mining, including stakeholder engagements, equipment seizures, arrests, and the reclamation of some degraded forest reserves.
Buah also revealed upcoming measures, such as the Blue Water Initiative, which includes the recruitment and training of River Guards to protect water bodies, and the Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative aimed at restoring severely degraded areas.
“To ensure a unified approach, we are decentralizing the fight against galamsey by engaging Regional Security Agency heads, District Chief Executives (DCEs), Regional Ministers, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology. We cannot do this alone, so we are getting all hands on deck,” he stated.
The Minister further disclosed that his team has gathered significant intelligence on mining licenses and is implementing a rigorous inspection process to review and revoke permits of companies involved in illegal activities. “This process will help weed out bad actors and strengthen regulatory enforcement,” he added.
Assuring the Coalition of the government’s commitment to ending illegal mining, Buah called for collective support. “Help us, work with us, and give us the time and opportunity to deliver effective results,” he urged.
With growing concerns over the environmental and economic impact of galamsey, stakeholders continue to push for urgent and lasting solutions to protect Ghana’s natural resources.
