The Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has lamented that the government’s lack of commitment to fighting Galamsey (illegal mining) is the main reason for the continuation of the menace, despite efforts and resources invested.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Lantam Papanko, Mr. Bosu stated that the government’s lack of commitment is the biggest hurdle to overcoming the galamsey menace. “Our leadership, who are supposed to ensure we deal with galamsey, are the very people who turn a blind eye, they have direct enforcement actions, and suppress those who want to work on it.”
Mr. Bosu recalled how the government has even deployed police to wipe out dissent in communities that don’t want community mining. “When there’s a need for community-level support to get rid of Galamsey, nobody comes to their aid. The government has even deployed police to quell dissent in communities that don’t want community mining.”
“The government itself is responsible for all the impunity we’re seeing. You can put in all the money and logistics, but as long as the leadership isn’t committed, we’re just wasting our time”, Mr. Bosu noted.
Mr. Bosu stated the problem persists, with water uptake stations and treatment centers shutting down due to mining activities. “We’ve had this issue since 2016, and many years down the line, nothing has changed. Water uptake stations and treatment centers are shutting down due to mining activities, and nobody is interested in addressing it.”
Officers on the ground have tried to speak out, but they are sanctioned or intimidated. “Officers on the ground have spoken about these issues, but they are sanctioned or intimidated. The government doesn’t care about the complaints of galamsey, all they care about is securing re-election.” Mr. Bosu noted
The youth are motivated to vote for governments that allow them to mine, forgetting that the gold will finish, and they’ll be left with nothing. “The youth in remote communities are motivated to vote for governments that allow them to mine, forgetting that the gold will finish, and we’ll be left with nothing. We’re refusing to think about the future and putting all our eggs in one basket of gold mining.” Mr. Bosu highlighted.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Nukpeta Yaa Dorcas
