Mr. Andy Kankam, the editor of the Informer newspaper has urged that, government in the quest to fight ‘galamsey’ must first localize it.
Speaking on how the fight against ‘galamsey’ can be effective, he indicated that this has to be done if government wants to achieve its objectives.
“Chiefs, District Security Committee (DISEC) and the local assemblies should be involved in the fight against ‘galamsey’ if we want to achieve the maximum impact.”
Andy Kankam
His comments come on the back of measures taken at the just ended National Consultative Dialogue on small-scale mining in the country.
Speaking further on what ought to be done, he backed the President’s decision to punish perpetrators regardless of their social status. He said equal punishment must be given to all who are found engaging in the illegal activity.
“If we can’t punish politicians of both the NPP and NDC involved in ‘galamsey’, then we should forget about it. They are the same people preventing the ‘galamsey’ fight from achieving success because of their involvement.
“If we find Wontumi or Asiedu Nketia involved in ‘galamsey’, they should be punished just like an ordinary person would be and nothing more.”
Andy Kankam
Moreover, Mr Kankam stressed that the constitution of a taskforce to fight illegal mining will only make the situation worse. According to him, previous taskforces set up to end the menace ended up working as security for these illegal miners.
“We don’t need a taskforce to fight ‘galamsey’, it is a waste of time to do so. Taskforces in the past used the opportunity to enrich themselves.”
Andy Kankam
Personnel involved in ‘galamsey’ fight, corrupt
He then described the military personnel who formed part of previous taskforces as corrupt. He posited that the personnel “go for monitoring operations and come back far richer;than they would’ve been if they were on peace keeping missions.”
At the just ended Dialogue on small scale mining, the stakeholders emphatically charged government to take steps;to put in place systems that would rigidly apply the law. They noted particularly the sanctions or penalties imposed by Act 995,; to all those who infringe the law, irrespective of political colour or socio-economic status or class. The stakeholders in a report indicated that, the better placed in society and who ought to know better;should have the most punitive of the penalties applied to them.
The report also stated that stakeholders present agreed by consensus that;dealing with ‘galamsey’ is a national emergency that requires urgent and concerted effort.
“Therefore, all political parties, all stakeholder groups, all individuals need to join the development;and execution of this national, not parochial, agenda to rid ourselves of the long-standing issue of illegal small-scale mining. And also, the need to implement measures in eradicating it out of our society.”
The National Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining which took place last week aimed at forging a broad-based consensus. It was also aimed at forging a workable blueprint to promote sustainable mining practices in the country.
The Dialogue brought together key stakeholders in the mining industry including;the Ghana Association of Small-Scale Miners, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Chiefs from the 16 regions,;members of the Council of State,;members of the National House of Chiefs amongst others.
