The Media Coalition Against Galamsey has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Ghanaian government to address the escalating crisis of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamse” or” fac” nationwide demonstrations.
Illegal mining has severely impacted Ghana’s government, causing widespread deforestation, river pollution, and exploitation of local communities.
The situation continues to deteriorate, with increasing land degradation, destruction of forests, pollution of water bodies, and loss of aquatic life. The crisis has also led to the exploitation of miners and the loss of lives.
Albert Dwumfour, the Ghana Journalists Association president and a coalition member, articulated the group’s goals.
Dwumfour called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to declare a state of emergency concerning water bodies and deploy the military to remove all illegal mining activities from these areas.
He also demanded the immediate cessation of mining within 100 meters of rivers and streams and the abrogation of mining concessions overlapping with river buffers. Furthermore, Dwumfour urged the repeal of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in protected biodiversity areas.
The Media Coalition is also calling for the repeal of L.I. 2462, the abrogation of all permits for mining in globally significant biodiversity areas, and the public support of these measures by all presidential candidates.
Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, echoed the coalition, criticizing the government for failing to take decisive action against illegal mining.
Gyamfi emphasized the need for stringent enforcement of existing laws, accountability for perpetrators, and restoring polluted water bodies.
He proposed a temporary moratorium on all licensed community mining activities and stressed the importance of involving local communities and traditional leaders in reclamation.
Kenneth Ashigbey, the coalition’s convener, warned that the group would resort to demonstrations and strikes if the government did not act promptly.
As the coalition raises its voice, the question remains whether Ghana Ghana’s will heed the urgent call to protect the nation and future from the devastating effects of illegal mining.
