Dr. Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, a Research Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has urged President John Dramani Mahama to declare a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) in the country. He emphasized that galamseyers should be treated as hardcore criminals and called for immediate and stringent measures.
Dr. Asiedu’s comments came in the wake of a disturbing attack on members of the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve. One officer was critically wounded after being slashed in the knee by a machete during the ambush. In a Facebook post, Dr. Asiedu declared, “At this stage, we are at war, and we must understand it.” He warned against underestimating the gravity of the situation, calling those who suggest leniency part of the problem.
He compared the situation to how countries like China would respond, suggesting that illegal miners would face severe consequences if the government had the resolve to tackle them forcefully. He added, “Soon, the forest guards will refuse to enter these forests for fear of their lives.”
Similarly, Ken Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, echoed Dr. Asiedu’s call for a state of emergency in areas heavily impacted by illegal mining. He believes this declaration would provide necessary support to those combating galamsey and would help track and regulate the machinery used in these activities, such as excavators. Ashigbey proposed that the chassis numbers of excavators be used to trace their owners and uncover the financial networks behind these operations.
Daryl Bosu, Executive Director of A Rocha, also raised concerns about the widespread destruction of the country’s forests, citing that more than 44 forest reserves are currently under siege by illegal miners. The government has been struggling to contain the illegal mining due to the miners’ heavy armament and superior firepower, making it difficult for forest guards to effectively respond.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, had earlier highlighted that illegal miners were heavily armed, with the Forestry Commission and rapid response teams lacking the necessary weapons to combat them. He stressed that more than 9 forest reserves have been completely overtaken by illegal miners.
As the government grapples with this growing crisis, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackle illegal mining, promising profound changes in the coming months. However, many are urging for more immediate, drastic action to curb the threat to the nation’s natural resources and water bodies.
The continued violence and widespread damage caused by illegal mining in Ghana underscore the urgency of implementing stronger measures to safeguard the nation’s environment and natural resources.
