Deputy National Director of Operations at A Rocha Ghana, Daryl E. Bosu, has called for grassroots-driven approaches to combat illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” while expressing cautious optimism about recent commitments made by the Minister-designate for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr. Bosu reflected on Kofi-Buah’s experience and track record in tackling galamsey during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for Ellembelle.
“He was very actively engaging in advocacy against galamsey within the Ellembelle area, and I saw how impactful he was with mobilizing communities to address issues of water pollution and the displacement of cocoa farmers. His nomination wasn’t surprising because he has firsthand experience and understands the critical issues,” Mr. Bosu remarked.
The vetting of Kofi-Buah by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee spotlighted key challenges such as illegal mining, water pollution, and forest degradation. Bosu welcomed the Minister-designate’s commitment to reviewing LI 2462, a legislative instrument governing small-scale mining, which has long been a focus of civil society advocacy.
“It was good to hear him reassure us about reviewing LI 2462. This has been a major issue for us, and the current government had already committed to addressing it prior to the 2024 elections. We are looking forward to seeing tangible commitments and actions,” Bosu said.
However, he noted the absence of clear timelines for implementing these reforms, stressing the need for immediate action. “While we heard assurances on various fronts, there was no indication of when the government would begin tackling the galamsey crisis or enforcing existing laws to curb illegal activities,” he added.
Bosu emphasized that lasting solutions to galamsey require empowering local communities to take ownership of their natural resources. “Every river flows through a community that depends on it. Empowering these communities and giving them a voice is critical. Often, when communities report illegal activities affecting their water bodies or forest reserves, their concerns go unaddressed by authorities, leading to further escalation of the problem,” he explained.
Critiquing the reliance on structures such as “river guards,” Bosu argued for community-led resource management. “The issue is not just about setting up structures like river guards. It’s about empowering communities to take ownership of their natural resources. A top-down approach will not work without community involvement,” he asserted.
On the broader agenda of land restoration and climate change, Bosu highlighted the importance of clear timelines and measurable milestones to track progress. He described the government’s manifesto pledges to restore degraded lands and water bodies as promising but incomplete without specific goals.
“While the intentions are good, the lack of specific timelines was disappointing. We need clear goals to track outcomes and ensure accountability,” Bosu said.
He further urged the incoming Minister to prioritize enforcement, minimize political interference in technical operations, and strengthen state agencies managing natural resources. “The work ahead is immense. Compliance and enforcement must improve, and political interference must be minimized to achieve lasting solutions to these issues.”
