Child rights NGO, Challenging Heights, is calling on the Government of Ghana to honor the memory of the eight victims of last Wednesday’s fatal Ghana Air Force helicopter crash by fully implementing the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
The victims of the crash, which occurred near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, include Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Muhammed. They were reportedly en route to the launch of the anti-illegal mining initiative before the tragic incident.
In a press statement issued by President of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan, the organization described the accident as a painful loss that should serve as a call to action against the illegal mining menace, especially its impact on children and the environment.
“There is sufficient evidence to show that the negative impact of illegal mining extends far beyond environmental degradation,” the statement noted. “Children in these areas endure back-breaking work, handle toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide without protection, and suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses, mercury poisoning, and long-term disabilities.”
Challenging Heights highlighted a recent operation conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, in which 25 Nigerian girls were rescued from forced prostitution at an illegal mining site in Ghana’s Western Region. The organization also referenced the deaths of eight illegal miners earlier this year during a standoff with the military in Obuasi as further proof of the human toll of illegal mining.
The NGO stressed the urgent need to address both the environmental and human rights abuses tied to galamsey activities. Major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, it noted, have become heavily polluted, posing a growing threat to public health and water security.
READ: Helicopter crash: Mahama suspends all activities, declares 3-day national mourning
Calling for decisive action, Challenging Heights urged the government to fully commit to the implementation of the rCOMSDEP and outlined specific areas for intervention. These include:
• Strengthening law enforcement to combat illegal mining
• Prosecuting individuals who exploit children in mining
• Ensuring access to quality education for every child
• Enhancing social protection programs to prevent child labor
• Providing medical, psychological, and educational support for rescued children
• Tackling the economic drivers that push families into illegal mining
“Let the memory of those we have regrettably lost be the fuel for intensified, unwavering action,” the statement concluded. “Let us stand united in our commitment to protect our children and the environment from the devastating consequences of illegal mining and build a brighter future for all.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
