Galamsey poses a significant and growing threat to Ghana’s environment, economy, and public health.
Despite various governmental efforts and campaigns to curb the practice, it remains rampant, driven by the lure of quick profits from gold mining.
The consequences of galamsey are devastating, and Ghana urgently needs to take concrete, actionable steps to stop this existential threat.
Accordingly, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, remarked that if President Akufo-Addo implemented key action points to address the acute galamsey crisis, it could mark a significant turning point.
He suggested that one such action could be instructing the Attorney-General and the IGP to halt the unconstitutional harassment of anti-galamsey protesters and to ensure their immediate and unconditional release.
“Organised Labour and all patriotic forces deserve the highest of commendations for their dogged, unflinching, and consequential fight of a lifetime to save our lives and protect the environment against those mass murderers engaged in galamsey.
“I have absolutely no doubt that just as our collective resolve saved our SSNIT hotels so shall the mass murderers be chased out of our forests and waterbodies”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ablakwa further proposed that the President should take decisive action by dismissing all Regional Ministers who have failed to prevent galamsey in their capacity as Chairs of their respective Regional Security Councils.
He also recommended the sacking of all MMDCEs who have similarly been ineffective in stopping illegal mining as heads of their respective Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Security Councils.
As part of broader measures to combat the menace, Ablakwa urged the President to reshuffle key ministers responsible for critical sectors.
This includes the Ministers for Lands and Natural Resources, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, National Security, Defence, and the Interior.
Ablakwa also called for the replacement of the heads of various agencies under these ministries, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission, citing their “spectacular failure and alarming betrayal” in addressing the galamsey crisis.
Ablakwa Urges Recall of Galamsey Commanders
Moreover, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa urged the President to recall all Police Commanders and National Security Operatives stationed in galamsey hotspots due to their complicit behavior and failure to protect the nation from the devastation caused by illegal mining.
He further recommended the imposition of a 5-year ban on all forms of small-scale mining through urgent legislative action, aiming to halt the environmental destruction and allow for recovery.
Ablakwa also advocated for the immediate deployment of the Ghana Armed Forces to safeguard the country’s river bodies and forests.
This, he argued, should be done under a new framework that removes political and partisan influence over the security forces, ensuring a more effective and impartial defense of Ghana’s natural resources.
“[The President should] immediately stop the issuance of new mining licenses; Carry out a shakeup at Ghana’s Embassy in China and put in place an extremely strict criteria for the issuance of Ghanaian visas to Chinese nationals.
“Launch an aggressive scientific Green Ghana program to restore and regenerate our river bodies, embark on massive afforestation and reclamation of all galamsey lands; Provide free comprehensive medical screening and treatment for all Ghanaians affected and exposed to the health dangers of galamsey”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa further recommended that the President impose hefty fines on small-scale mining companies that violate Ghana’s responsible mining laws.
The funds collected from these fines, he suggested, should be directed toward environmental regeneration, public health assistance, and water treatment initiatives to mitigate the damage caused by illegal mining activities.
He also called for the development of a clear roadmap to ensure that after the proposed 5-year environmental recovery ban on small-scale mining, a state-owned company should be established to take sole responsibility for small-scale mining operations.
Under this plan, private small-scale mining by companies would be permanently prohibited.
Ablakwa emphasized that the state-owned company should prioritize employing only Ghanaians from the communities where mining operations would take place, ensuring that local workers benefit directly.
He further recommended that the company provide competitive working conditions for all employees and be legally bound to pay fair royalties to traditional leaders while engaging in community empowerment initiatives.
Additionally, Ablakwa called for the revocation of L.I. 2462 and the passage of new legislation making it illegal for politicians or any other individuals to advocate for or promote galamsey.
He urged that stiff penalties be imposed on anyone caught violating these laws, reinforcing the government’s commitment to eradicating illegal mining.
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