As part of efforts to reduce mining activities that harm the environment, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) wants an immediate ban on all forms of small-scale and surface mining in the country.
According to the Coalition, the directive, along with six others, will “allow our water bodies and forests to begin to be restored and strategize a way to bring sanity to all surface mining activities in Ghana.”
The group believes that the government must take immediate and drastic measures to improve the state of our water bodies and preserve our environment.
As a result, the Coalition is urging the government to do the following as soon as possible:
1. Order an immediate halt to all small-scale and surface mining activities to allow our water bodies and forests to be restored, and devise a plan to bring sanity to all surface mining activities in Ghana.
2. Ensure that the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, is strictly enforced. To serve as a deterrent, ‘powerful’ people involved in Galamsey activities in the country should be exposed and sanctioned.
3. Arrest, investigate, and prosecute all parties involved in the illegality, including Akonta Mining Ltd and its Directors, Bernard Bosiako and Kwame Antwi, for illegally mining in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and violating Section 99(6) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended, by mining very close to the Tano River’s banks.
4. Fire any MCE/DCE in whose jurisdiction illegal mining has occurred and continues, based on evidence on the ground.
5. Ministers and their deputies, tasked with regulating the mining sector, have failed Ghana. They should also be fired for disappointing current and future generations.
6. Investigate the possibility of providing gainful, alternative employment to Galamsey participants.
7. Ensure that the above punitive measures are implemented prior to Farmer’s Day this year, as these activities have a direct negative impact on the efforts of our brave farmers.
Also read: OSP commences investigations into galamsey corruption
The Coalition maintains that there is no justification for illegal mining to continue in Ghana.
“As a result, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey is calling on well-meaning Ghanaians and Civil Society Organizations to join forces with the media to continue to put pressure on our leaders, both political and traditional, to help save Ghana’s water bodies and preserve our environment for future generations.”
“We cannot afford to lose this war.” Irresponsible and unsustainable mining poses an existential threat and should be avoided.”
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