Mahama Acknowledges Deep Challenges in Galamsey Fight, Calls for Continued Efforts

Mahama Acknowledges Deep Challenges in Galamsey Fight, Calls for Continued Efforts

Former President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the widespread involvement of various groups, including political, traditional, and even his own networks, in illegal mining, known as galamsey. He warned that combating the practice would be a difficult battle, but emphasized the need for persistent efforts to end it.

“I don’t kid myself that we don’t have our own people involved,” Mahama said during a meeting with Organised Labour at Jubilee House in Accra on Tuesday, March 17. He explained that illegal mining operators often change allegiances with shifts in government, complicating efforts to address the issue. “When one party changes, those running these operations will align with the new government and ask to continue their activities,” he added.

The President’s remarks underscore the deep-rooted nature of galamsey in Ghanaian society and the complex challenges faced by authorities in enforcing anti-mining laws. He highlighted that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) encounters significant resistance from local communities, where chiefs, youth, and residents frequently block enforcement efforts.

“They go to a community, and the chiefs, the youth, and everyone resist them,” Mahama said. “I don’t kid myself that we can win this fight overnight. But we cannot relent; we must continue.”

Mahama also linked the rise of galamsey to economic pressures, particularly in the cocoa sector. He noted that low cocoa producer prices have driven some farmers to abandon their cocoa farms in favor of gold mining. “When the cocoa industry faces a crisis, and farmers receive low prices, many give up their farms for illegal mining,” he explained.

To address this, Mahama mentioned that the government is implementing a new pricing mechanism that will ensure farmers receive up to 70% of the global cocoa price, a move designed to discourage the shift from farming to illegal mining.

Additionally, Mahama pointed out logistical challenges in the fight against galamsey, such as a lack of patrol boats and monitoring equipment for waterways and forest reserves. He assured that the government is collaborating with the Ministries of Finance, Defence, and Interior to provide the necessary resources to enhance anti-galamsey operations.

Galamsey remains a persistent and damaging issue for the country, with serious environmental, social, and economic consequences. Mahama’s remarks emphasize the need for continued political will, adequate resources, and cooperation from local communities to effectively tackle the problem.

Story: Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv