In the ongoing debate over illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” a former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has raised concerns about certain public statements made by politicians and government officials.
He urged leaders to be more cautious in their comments on the issue, emphasizing that some remarks appear to justify the harmful and illegal practice of galamsey.
Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong’s comments come in response to recent statements by government officials and political figures that, according to him, risk undermining public trust and could be interpreted as disregarding the serious environmental and social consequences of galamsey.
He expressed alarm at the contradictory nature of these statements and warned that they could damage the government’s credibility in the fight against illegal mining.
“Some of our Ministers of State must be a bit mindful of their statements. Some of their statements are hurting and are very contradictory.
“If I hear a minister saying if not for mining, the dollar would have been GH¢25 … the more some of them talk like this in public, it suggests that they are taking us for granted. In fact, some are even saying as for mining we won’t stop.”
Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana
According to Rev. Opuni-Frimpong, such statements could be seen as giving tacit approval to illegal mining activities, thus undermining efforts to curb the practice.
The debate on galamsey has been further fueled by recent comments from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemanu Koney. Koney argued that the mining sector plays a crucial role in stabilizing the local currency and suggested that without mining, the cedi could have depreciated significantly, possibly to a rate of ¢25 to $1.
His statement echoes the sentiments of other political figures, including New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, who recently stated that the government has no intention of banning galamsey, despite mounting pressure from environmental advocacy groups and sections of the public.
This narrative, which links the preservation of the mining industry with the health of the country’s economy, has drawn criticism from those who are advocating for stricter control over illegal mining.
Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong sees these justifications as dangerous, as they could embolden illegal miners and discourage the necessary governmental and societal pushback against the practice.
Calls for Continued Public Pressure
Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong also used the opportunity to encourage the public not to relent in their protest against galamsey. He stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on the government to address the issue decisively.
According to him, the harmful effects of illegal mining on the environment, including the destruction of forests and the pollution of water bodies, must not be overlooked in favor of short-term economic gains.
“We must not give an inch; we must all go out to let the government know that we are serious. They are hurting us,” he declared, urging citizens and advocacy groups to keep the momentum going.
He specifically called on civil society organizations, including the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), to continue their advocacy efforts. He emphasized that collective action is needed to make the government take the concerns of the public seriously.
Rev. Dr. Opuni-Frimpong noted that while the government has taken steps to combat illegal mining, including setting up task forces and implementing new regulations, more needs to be done to ensure these efforts are sustained and effective.
Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong’s call for caution in the public discourse surrounding galamsey reflects a growing concern among environmental and civil society groups about the mixed messages being sent by government officials.
While some justify mining as essential for the economy, others continue to highlight its devastating impact on Ghana’s natural resources and communities. His plea for continued public pressure is a reminder that the fight against illegal mining is far from over and requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders, including political leaders, civil society organizations, and the general public.
