Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, has strongly criticized the government’s approach to the escalating galamsey (illegal mining) crisis.
His concerns followed a shocking revelation by Hon. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. Speaking in Parliament, the Minister disclosed that nine out of Ghana’s 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by heavily armed illegal miners, rendering them beyond state control.
This admission has triggered outrage among environmental activists and civil society groups, who are demanding immediate and decisive action.
Dr. Ashigbey expressed disappointment that the minister was merely recounting the extent of the crisis rather than presenting concrete solutions.
“I’m surprised the minister is telling us about the problems because, as a minister, he’s not like us in the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, who are regurgitating the problems. I am even more surprised that he’s telling us what we already know.
“And it is the reason why the NDC when they were in opposition they were in support of the fact that we needed to declare a state of emergency over our water bodies and our forest reserves”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Dr. Ashigbey insisted that the alarming takeover of forest reserves by criminals, including foreign nationals, demands an immediate and robust response from the state.
“When you have a country where nine of your forest reserves have been taken over by criminals, it tells you that a portion of your territory has been lost. This is why we need to declare a state of emergency in these areas and deploy the armed forces and police to reclaim them”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
He also emphasized that forestry guards are ill-equipped to handle the heavily armed illegal miners, making military intervention necessary.
“We have always known that the forestry guards were not properly armed and could not deal with this situation. This is not new. It has been the same for the past eight years. The minister should not be realizing this just now.”
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Dr. Ashigbey acknowledged that some progress had been made by the Ghana Armed Forces in raiding illegal mining sites and seizing excavators, citing a recent report by investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor.
However, he urged that these efforts be sustained and expanded, asserting that the minister needs to go beyond acknowledging the problem and lead immediate action.
“The excavators that have been seized should be used as evidence to trace those responsible—who imported them, who bought them, and who rented them out. These people should be held accountable under the Minerals and Mining Act”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
The Need for Immediate Action
The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has long called for a more aggressive stance against illegal mining, particularly the introduction of emergency measures.
Dr. Ashigbey drew parallels to President John Dramani Mahama’s swift action in launching Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) to combat corruption, arguing that a similar urgency is required to tackle galamsey.
“The president did not start by forming a committee to talk about how to deal with corruption. He immediately set up the anti-corruption preparatory team, which went into action to collect information and act. The same should happen with galamsey”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Criticizing the delay in responding to illegal mining activities, he questioned the rationale behind statements made by the Ashanti Regional Minister, who recently announced a two-week grace period before cracking down on galamsey operators.
“If there were people raping his household, would he allow them to continue for two weeks before taking action? This shows a lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Dr. Ashigbey urged the government to enforce existing laws more effectively, track the financiers of illegal mining operations, and ensure that security forces actively dismantle illegal mining networks.
“We need to start seeing action from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and other relevant authorities. We should be receiving regular updates on arrests and interventions so that criminals do not have the opportunity to regroup and continue their activities”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Is Ghana Losing Control Over Its Forest Reserves?
Dr. Ashigbey also rejected the notion that Ghana is helpless in the fight against galamsey, dismissing suggestions that the illegal miners’ sophisticated weapons make it impossible for state authorities to intervene.
“If terrorists occupied any part of Ghana’s territory, we would know exactly how to deal with them. This is why, when President Mahama took office, we wrote to him reminding him that one of our key demands was a state of emergency over our water bodies and forest reserves.”
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
He noted that the presence of large numbers of excavators at mining sites suggests collusion and corruption within state institutions.
“Excavators are not like mobile phones that can be hidden in a pocket. They are large, heavy machines that must have passed through police barriers and CCTV-monitored roads. If civil society and the media were already aware of this, why was nothing done?”
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Dr. Ashigbey reiterated that swift government action is critical to preventing further destruction, adding that “we need to recover these areas before the situation deteriorates further”.
He noted that while Ghana is discussing carbon trading and other sustainable economic opportunities, it is regrettably allowing its forests and water bodies to be destroyed.
This is happening at a time when kidney diseases are on the rise due to pollution from illegal mining,” he lamented.
Holding Perpetrators Accountable, Preventing Future Galamsey Activities
To ensure long-term solutions, Dr. Ashigbey called for a thorough investigation into the supply chains of illegal mining.
“We need to trace how excavators, chemicals, and other equipment reach the illegal miners. Who are their financiers? Which officials are complicit? Without addressing these issues, we are only scratching the surface of the problem.”
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
He also stressed that the government must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to punishing those involved in illegal mining.
“No group of people should be more powerful than the state. We must establish that quickly so that we do not lose more forest reserves. We need decisive action against these criminals, and we must show that we will not tolerate this destruction any longer”.
Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey
Dr. Ashigbey called on citizens to support efforts to end galamsey, urging civil society, the media, and environmental activists to continue pressuring the government to take meaningful action.
“This is not just about the environment; it is about the future of our country, our health, and our economy. The government must act now before it is too late,” he concluded. With Ghana’s forest reserves under increasing threat, Dr Ashigbey stressed the urgent need for the government to declare a state of emergency.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey are demanding immediate and sustained action to reclaim the country’s natural resources from illegal miners.
The government now faces mounting pressure to move beyond rhetoric and implement decisive measures to protect Ghana’s forests, water bodies, and future generations.
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