A Land Law Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Kwame Gyan has decried the failure of successive governments to effectively address illegal mining commonly referred to as “galamsey” in the country.
Professor Kwame Gyan highlighted the fight against illegal mining as a collective failure of the nation rather than merely a political issue.
Prof. Kwame Gyan argued that the issue is deeply rooted in the legal, regulatory, and socio-political frameworks governing the mining sector, as well as in the broader culture of indiscipline and impunity within the country.
“The mineral ownership is taken out from the land ownership, and the grant of concession is centralized for some people in Accra.”
Professor Kwame Gyan Lecturer University of Ghana
Prof. Kwame Gyan asserted that the failure to control galamsey is not solely a failure of the state but a collective failure of all Ghanaians. He emphasized that the problem has been brewing for a long time, and corrective actions have been slow in coming. He further highlighted several key issues within the legal and regulatory framework that contribute to the problem.
“That’s why I am saying this failure, I will not say it is some political class that has failed. All of us, have failed. And because all of us have failed, if we all want to fix this system, we can fix it.”
Professor Kwame Gyan Lecturer University of Ghana
Prof. Kwame Gyan Stated that based on a constitutional requirement, all minerals are owned by the Republic and vested in the President on behalf of the people. However, this centralization of resource ownership has alienated local communities from the benefits of the resources extracted from their lands.
“The owner of the resource is the state and for all the number of years you have been on this planet, have you seen the state before? Have you seen Ghana before? Do you know what he looks like, whether he’s a male or female?”
Professor Kwame Gyan Lecturer University of Ghana
Prof. Kwame Gyan emphasized that Licenses are often granted in Accra without sufficient consultation with the local communities affected by mining activities. This disconnect between decision-makers and local stakeholders leads to tensions and a lack of accountability.
He further stresses that the distribution of the economic benefits from mining is skewed, with local communities seeing little to no improvement in their standard of living despite the extraction of valuable resources from their lands. Prof. Gyan gives examples of mining towns like Takwa, where despite years of gold mining, the local community remains impoverished.
Culture of Impunity and Indiscipline
Prof. Gyan pointed out a broader issue of indiscipline and impunity that has taken root in Ghanaian society, which he believes is a legacy of past political upheavals. This culture has led to a general disregard for law and order, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish even in the most visible and accessible areas.
He further described how mining operations continue unabated even in populated areas, with local authorities, law enforcement, and the general public turning a blind eye.
Economic Realities and Public Compliance
Moreover, Prof. Gyan raises the issue of political complicity in the galamsey problem. He suggested that political actors, including local government officials, may be involved in or benefit from illegal mining activities, which hampers efforts to combat the problem.
Moreover, Prof. Kwame Gyan cited the University of Ghana, which has successfully protected its land because its officials are not complicit in land theft, to illustrate the impact of corruption on resource management.
Prof. Gyan acknowledged that galamsey has become an economy in its own right, providing livelihoods for many, including food vendors who depend on miners as customers. This economic reality complicates efforts to eradicate illegal mining, as it would disrupt the livelihoods of those dependent on it.
Prof. Kwame Gyan emphasized that addressing the galamsey problem requires collective action from all Ghanaians, calling for legal reforms, changes in behavior, and the elimination of political interference to create a more sustainable and equitable mining industry.
Prof. Kwame Gyan stressed the importance of developing strategies to rehabilitate mined-out areas and provide alternative livelihoods to those involved in illegal mining.
Prof. Kwame Gyan highlighted a national call to action for all stakeholders in Ghana to take responsibility for the management of the country’s natural resources and to work together to address the challenges posed by Galamsey.
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