The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has raised concerns over renewed threats against journalist Erastus Asare Donkor urging the government to declare a state of emergency to combat illegal mining menace.
He indicated that his organization would formally petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide security for Erastus, who has been instrumental in exposing illegal mining activities.
He also warned those behind illegal mining that they would be exposed and held accountable. He said;
“We also want to serve warning to these faceless criminals who are engaging in the ecocide and genocide of our people that they cannot touch us. We will use all the forces of the state, including the media, to ensure that we expose them. Their threats will not stop us; our resolve is resolute.”
“We had a meeting with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. It was a very good first meeting. Some work is being done, but unfortunately, the criminals are still at work.”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining
He revealed that out of nine forest reserves that had been lost to illegal mining, the government had managed to reclaim four. However, illegal mining continues in other reserves and on water bodies.
Dr. Ashigbey highlighted the deep political involvement in illegal mining, asserting that both the ruling and opposition parties have been complicit.
He described how some politically connected individuals are financing and protecting illegal miners, making it difficult for the government to combat the menace.
“The Minister wants to fight this, but he is being fought by people within his party and even from the NDC as well. The political class is deeply entrenched in this.”
“These people have recruited heavily armed men who are using sophisticated weapons. A lot of them are foreigners. If you look at what happened in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and with Boko Haram, we are creating a national security crisis.”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining
Urgent Call for a State of Emergency
To combat illegal mining effectively, Dr. Ashigbey called for a state of emergency in affected areas. He said;
“Beyond all the things the Minister is doing, we need to reclaim our lands and forests. The state of emergency, which I don’t think he agrees with, has to be imposed. It is one of the things that will help us overcome this crisis.”
“His Excellency the President must realize that, yes, some good work is being done, but the challenge we have requires a state of emergency. We must act now before it is too late.”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining
He stressed that the military, air force, and navy should be deployed to combat illegal mining on land and water bodies.
“If they are able to take nine forest reserves because of gold, what happens when the gold gets exhausted? They will start taking districts and controlling resources there. This is a national security matter. In the presence of our Ghanaian police, these criminals were still able to beat journalists and destroy their equipment.
“They carried illegal weapons right in front of security officers. These are not people we can deal with using kid gloves. Excavators have become weapons of mass destruction. Every hectare of land destroyed requires $40,000 to restore. We need to act now.”
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining
Dr. Ashigbey revealed that his coalition had petitioned President Mahama regarding an MP allegedly involved in illegal mining. He expressed disappointment over the lack of public action.
READ ALSO: Ghana’s 2025 Budget Signals a Shift in Economic Management
