In the face of the ongoing calls for a total ban on small-scale mining, as part of measures to curb the activities of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, Dr Steve Manteaw, Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) has expressed his opposition, criticizing the government’s past efforts, particularly the use of blanket bans and moratoriums.
Dr Manteaw highlighted a critical flaw in the government’s approach, asserting that the previous moratorium on small-scale mining, which aimed to curb galamsey operations, paradoxically resulted in a significant spike in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) production.
“I am against an outright ban or moratorium. The last time it happened, our small-scale production shot up instead of decline. Besides, we cannot punish those operating legally and responsibly for the atrocities of a notorious few who are backed by political godfathers”.
Dr Steve Manteaw, Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), and Policy Analyst and Campaigns Coordinator at Integrated Social Development Centre
Dr Manteaw, who doubles as a Policy Analyst at the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) further emphasized his opposition to another moratorium, expressing concern that such an approach would disproportionately harm those operating within the legal framework.
He argued that the government’s policy should focus on rooting out these bad actors rather than penalizing responsible, law-abiding miners.
Dr Manteaw also criticized the government’s laissez-faire stance, noting that no country has ever reaped significant value from its extractive industry by being a mere “spectator” while multinationals and politically connected individuals dominate the sector.
His call for more proactive governance resonates with broader frustrations about the extractive industry in Ghana, where foreign corporations often wield enormous influence, leaving the country to deal with the environmental and social costs.
A Strategic Alternative: Covert Operations to Tackle High-Level Offenders
In contrast to the blanket bans, the Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), Dr Steve Manteaw proposed a more surgical approach involving covert national security operations aimed at influential figures who enable galamsey.
According to him, the illegal activities that have led to the rampant pollution of water bodies can be curbed without the imposition of a broad moratorium, which in the past has only provided cover for politically connected individuals to continue mining illegally.
“Making examples of people in high places will send the signal that we are serious about stopping galamsey,” Dr Manteaw asserted.
However, he acknowledged that such an approach would require strong backing from the highest levels of government, particularly from the office of the President, given the likelihood that some of these high-profile offenders may be close to the ruling elite.
His remarks were pointedly directed at President Akufo-Addo, who he noted had previously declared his commitment to ending galamsey, famously stating that he was willing to put his presidency on the line.
Dr Manteaw urged the President to live up to this pledge, warning that failing to do so would forever tarnish his legacy.
“It all begins and ends at the doorstep of that office. President Akufo-Addo must demonstrate that he meant it when he put his job on the line, or forever be remembered as ‘President do little,’ to borrow his own words”.
Dr Steve Manteaw, Co-chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), and Policy Analyst and Campaigns Coordinator at Integrated Social Development Centre
Dr Manteaw also lashed out at the government’s decision to pass legislation that allows mining in forest reserves, describing it as “the most reckless and irresponsible thing a government will do.”
His comments reflect growing concerns about the environmental impact of mining in these protected areas, where deforestation, biodiversity loss, and water pollution have become critical issues.
Dr Steve Manteaw’s critique was echoed by Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).
Professor Asare expressed deep scepticism about the government’s willingness to truly confront the galamsey menace, pointing out the apparent lack of political will to curb the menace.
“Nothing will happen unless the people take matters into their own hands”, Professor Kweku Asare declared.
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