Ghana’s Fight Against Galamsey: The Need for Mining Law Reforms

The fight against illegal small-scale mining, also known as galamsey, has been a longstanding battle in Ghana. Many organizations and individuals have been working to put an end to this activity that has caused great harm to the environment, particularly to water bodies. However, the blame game among these institutions has hindered progress in the fight against galamsey.

According to Paul Amaning, a communicator for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the solution to the problem lies in collective efforts rather than assigning blame. Amaning suggests that the government reform the mining law to combat the issue. He believes that President Nana Addo alone can resolve the galamsey and mining problems if the current mining law is revised.

For the most part, Amaning notes that the fight against galamsey is not a fight against mining itself, as there are distinctions between the two. While large-scale mining companies obtain permits to extract minerals, smaller groups and individuals engage in small-scale artisanal mining. However, the health implications of these mining activities are often overlooked in the pursuit of economic growth.

Amaning also points out that Ghanaian citizens are not benefiting from the profits of the mining industry. He questions the legitimacy of foreigners who have amassed wealth worth billions of cedis through mining in Ghana. He suggests that the government should purchase gold from legitimate mining businesses rather than allowing foreigners to profit from the nation’s resources.

The fight against galamsey requires concrete efforts from all stakeholders, and blaming each other will only work against the general interest. It is important to understand that the battle against illegal small-scale mining is a collective one. By reforming the mining law and putting in place measures to ensure the health and safety of citizens, Ghana can continue to benefit from its mineral resources without harming its environment and people.

Source: GNA