The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has expressed concern over government’s handling of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
According to him, the situation remains dire despite some interventions to curb the menace.
Speaking on JoyNews PM Express on Monday, March 10, Dr. Ashigbey stated that while some efforts have been made, the overall challenge persists.
He highlighted the alarming state of the country’s forest reserves, noting that nine of them had been declared no-go areas due to illegal mining activities.
Dr Ashigbey stated that although two reserves in the Ashanti Region have been reclaimed, he warned that task forces sent to combat illegal mining in these areas are often outnumbered and outgunned by illegal miners.
He also criticised the lack of prompt action from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, pointing out that “in 62 days, the honourable minister has still not taken the actions yet, though I’m hearing that some actions are going to be taken to repeal a law that the NDC were prepared to take private members’ bill into parliament to go and deal with it.”
While he acknowledged the Minister’s recent efforts, he stressed that illegal mining is a complex, highly lucrative issue involving politically exposed individuals, requiring firm and decisive action from President John Dramani Mahama.
“The elephant in the room is the politically exposed people who are involved in this,” he said, adding, “for me, I would have expected a bit more decisive action from His Excellency, the President.”
Dr. Ashigbey further cited instances where key political figures had been accused of engaging in illegal mining but faced no immediate consequences.
“When the Aowin MP, for example, was fingered by the traditional authority as being involved in galamsey, and he also said he was not involved…you would have expected His Excellency, the President who, on July 7, had indicated that he was not going to tolerate the kingpins—they were the people he was going to go after—you’d have been expecting that His Excellency would have publicly ordered an investigation into that particular inquiry.”
He also mentioned allegations against the National Democratic Congress Constituency Chairman in Ellembelle, questioning why there had been no public action against him.
Additionally, he referenced the case of Akonta Mining, linked to the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, which had been flagged by the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
“You would have been hoping that the president would have publicly shown, and taken action to make sure that he should go to court and those who have to be investigated be investigated to send the right signals to the politically exposed people, the kingpins that he’s not going to tolerate that,” he stressed.
Dr. Ashigbey urged President Mahama to take a stronger stance against illegal mining by ensuring those involved, regardless of their political affiliations, are investigated and prosecuted.
He added that sending a clear message to politically connected individuals would be key in tackling the menace effectively.
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