President Akufo-Addo has touted the achievements his government has chalked with the ban on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. According to him, the ban has helped the country reduce its carbon emissions.
Addressing the 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, he said over 20,000 Ghanaians have been employed to plant trees to help the country restore degraded lands. He indicated that the aim is to sustain positive results the government has achieved in this endeavour.
President Akufo-Addo also added that several flagship policy initiatives such as planting for food and jobs, one village, one dam and the ban on illegal mining have all contributed to reducing carbon emissions. Nana Akufo-Addo insisted that these policies have helped the country build resilience to the impact of climate change.
He thus advised other African countries to take similar steps to reduce their carbon emissions and help the continent build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The country, over the years has been faced with a grave environmental and social crisis due to the uncontrolled and illegal mining activities known as “galamsey.” Galamsey operations were notorious for their indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals, deforestation, and the pollution of water bodies. These activities not only degraded the land but also contaminated vital water sources, endangering both human and aquatic life.
To tackle this issue head-on, the Ghanaian government implemented a ban on illegal galamsey operations. Now, as the ban continues to yield positive results, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of maintaining and strengthening these measures for the long-term benefit of the nation.
Even though the ban on galamsey, initiated several years ago was not an easy decision, as it affected thousands of small-scale miners and their communities, it was a necessary step to protect Ghana’s environment, natural resources and the health of its citizens. One of the most notable achievements of the ban has also been the gradual restoration of Ghana’s water bodies.
Moreover, the ban has created opportunities for the government to formalize and regulate small-scale mining activities, thereby generating revenue, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that the benefits of mining are equitably distributed.
While the ban on galamsey has undoubtedly produced positive results, there are challenges that must be addressed to sustain these gains. First and foremost, the government must remain committed to enforcing the ban rigorously.
Galamsey operators have shown resilience in evading the law, often returning to their illegal activities once the spotlight dims. To combat this, the government must maintain a strong presence in mining regions, implement stricter penalties for illegal mining, and improve surveillance and intelligence gathering to dismantle illegal operations swiftly.
The government must use this opportunity to develop and implement comprehensive mining policies that protect the environment, respect the rights of local communities and ensure that mining activities contribute to the overall development of the nation. Encouraging responsible mining practices, investing in mining technology and providing training and support for small-scale miners can help strike a balance between economic development and environmental preservation.
The Chronicle commends Ghana’s ban on galamsey which has yielded significant positive results for the environment, society and the economy. However, it is crucial to maintain and strengthen these measures to ensure that the progress made so far is not undone.
