WR Minister calls for a comprehensive strategy to deal with Galamsey

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has called for a fresh approach in combating illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey.
The new strategy, according to him, is non-negotiable, especially looking at the devastating impact of illegal mining on the water bodies in the Western region.

To him, the fight against illegal mining is a monumental task and that he is ready to collaborate with the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to find a new approach in combating the menace.
“The destruction of our rivers and streams is alarming. Simply removing miners from the land today only leads to their return tomorrow.

“We need a comprehensive solution to effectively address this issue,” the minister said, whilst addressing members of the Western Regional House of chiefs, who had paid a courtesy call on him in Sekondi.

He emphasised, “Since we haven’t effectively implemented laws regulating small-scale mining, we’ll continue to face these issues. We must establish clear guidelines on responsible mining practices.”
He expressed concern over the devastating impact of the Butire River’s breakages, which sometimes lead to the flooding of the entire Ahanta Ewusiejoe community.

The Minister also expressed shock over the previous administration’s decision to designate parts of the Ghana Rubber Estate (GREL) farmland as a community mining site.
“I find it very difficult to comprehend why a rubber plantation would be declared a community mining site,” he remarked, highlighting the illogical nature of this decision.
Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, outlining his vision for responsible mining practices emphasised the need for clear standards and accountability.
“Once a mining permit is issued, the recipient must acknowledge and fulfil the associated responsibilities,” he stated.

In that direction, he advocated for a more transparent and regulated approach, suggesting that mining sites should easily be identifiable as registered small-scale and responsibly operated.

That apart, he also emphasised the importance of establishing clear standards enabling effective monitoring and ensuring that license holders understood their obligations.
“In the absence of standards, monitoring becomes impossible,” Mr Nelson noted, adding “We must establish clear guidelines so anyone with a license knows exactly what is expected of them.”

Regarding accountability, Minister Joseph Nelson emphasised the need for a collaborative approach suggesting formation of a group consisting of the Minerals Commission, District Chief Executives and security services, with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

This would ensure that individuals in those roles are held accountable for their actions and are required to answer tough questions when issues arise.
Turning his attention to Ghana’s available farmlands, he expressed grave worry about Ghana’s dwindling farmlands due to illegal mining activities.

He warned that if the development is left unchecked, the country’s ability to produce food crops and major cash crops like cocoa would be severely impacted.
To address this issue, Nelson proposed a bold solution to the extent that any chief who allowed illegal mining in his area should not have the land returned to them after reclamation.

Instead, the state and government should take control of the land for agricultural purposes.
The approach, he believes, would aim to hold traditional leaders accountable for protecting their traditional lands and to prioritise national food security interests.

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