The former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Inusah Fuseini, expressed his strong disapproval of the government’s current approach to combating illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
Hon. Fuseini described the measures, including the deployment of military personnel, as superficial and inadequate to address the deep-rooted issue. In his view, the government’s response lacks sustainability and credibility, failing leadership and policy.
Hon. Fuseini began by expressing his dissatisfaction with the decision of organized labour unions to suspend their planned strike, which was intended to address critical national issues, including illegal mining.
According to Hon. Fuseini, the unions had created an expectation among Ghanaians that they were ready to fight for the survival and security of the nation.
“For once, there was a group of people, a cohort of workers that really want to show patriotism and nationalism for this country.”
Hon. Fuseini remarked, emphasizing the importance of the issues the unions intended to address.
He went on to say that by suspending the strike, the unions risk losing credibility and the trust of the public in the future.
“They created an expectation in the minds of Ghanaians. Next time they come out with a decision to go on strike on something as national, as universal, as pollution of water bodies, people will not take them seriously.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Government’s Response to Galamsey: A Flash in the Pan
He described these proposals as insignificant in the face of the extensive environmental damage caused by galamsey.
“The approach of government to dealing with galamsey, which has motivated or influence labour to call off their intended strike, is clearly superficial.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
One of the key components of the government’s strategy is the deployment of additional military personnel to illegal mining areas, a move that Hon. Fuseini criticized as unsustainable. He emphasized; “It’s not what we asked for. They go and show action, so it’s a flash in the pan.”
Deployment of Military: Temporary Solution
Hon. Fuseini elaborated on his criticism of the military’s involvement, pointing out that similar efforts in the past had failed to yield lasting results.
“The military we’ve seen have been engaged in flushing out illegal miners, and the situation has become worse.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
According to Hon. Fuseini, deploying military personnel without a sustainable plan only offers a reprieve from the problem.
He further explained that the deployment of military forces is not a long-term solution.
“When the military moves in and destroys the illegal miners and then moves out, the illegal miners will move in. That’s why it’s a flash in the pan.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Critique of River Guards Plan
The government’s plan to create a new group called “river guards” to monitor water bodies and prevent pollution was also met with scepticism by Hon. Fuseini.
He questioned the timing and effectiveness of this initiative, pointing out that similar efforts had been promised in the past without success.
“Have you forgotten that they bought speedboats?” Hon. Fuseini asked, referring to a previous initiative to deploy speedboats to combat illegal mining.
He expressed doubt about the new plan’s ability to succeed, questioning why the government had failed to deploy the speedboats it had acquired years ago.
“What prevented them from deploying them?” he asked, highlighting what he described as a “total failure of leadership” in addressing the galamsey problem.
Political Leadership is Key
For Hon. Fuseini, the fight against illegal mining cannot be won solely through military intervention or new programs like the river guards.
“The central axis of the fight against illegal small-scale mining must be the political appointees that you have put in place to [oversee] the districts.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
Hon. Fuseini argued that local officials and security agencies should play a crucial role in coordinating anti-galamsey efforts and ensuring accountability.
“The president, the national security coordinator, the police in the various areas where mining takes place—the chiefs all know those who are behind mining.”
Hon. Inusah Fuseini former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
In his final remarks, Hon. Fuseini reiterated his belief that the government’s current approach to tackling illegal mining is insufficient.
He called for a more comprehensive and sustainable strategy, one that goes beyond military intervention and involves local leadership and political will.
“What we are seeing now is a catastrophic and disastrous failure,” he said, urging the government to take more decisive action to address the root causes of the illegal mining problem.
According to Hon. Fuseini, only by involving local leaders and holding them accountable can the government hope to make real progress in the fight against galamsey.
Without such measures, he warned, the situation would continue to deteriorate, with devastating consequences for the environment and the country as a whole.
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