The Ghana Coalition against Galamsey has expressed profound dismay over recent statements from the National House of Chiefs, which appear to oppose a blanket ban on all forms of mining, a position the Coalition deems both perplexing and deeply counterproductive.
In a sharply worded response, the Coalition notes the National House of Chiefs’ reluctance to support decisive action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, which has wreaked untold environmental damage across Ghana.
The Coalition suggests that the chiefs’ position undermines efforts to curb rampant destruction of natural resources, including water bodies and agricultural land. Of particular concern is the House of Chiefs’ apparent reversal of an earlier stance on the issue, expressed in February 2024, which had been more aligned with national efforts to address the environmental crisis.
The Coalition asserts that the House of Chiefs, as custodians of customary resources, has a constitutional obligation to safeguard these assets for future generations.
The statement calls attention to the complicity of some traditional leaders in illegal mining activities, arguing that the House’s current posture risks placing the institution “on the wrong side of history” as the nation battles the environmental and social fallout from galamsey.
In calling for greater clarity from the National House of Chiefs, the Coalition urges the institution to adopt a more robust and unequivocal stance in opposition to illegal mining. It stresses the pivotal role the chiefs could play in protecting Ghana’s natural heritage and averting a deeper environmental catastrophe.
The Coalition concludes on a note of cautious optimism, stating that with strong leadership, meaningful change is not only possible but inevitable.
About the Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) comprises coalitions and a network of organizations from 10 blocks: the Media, Labour, Religious Groups, Youth Groups, Research and academia, Pressure Groups, CSOs, Professional Bodies, Traditional Leaders, and Business bodies.
The Coalition is a common platform for all ‘Against Galamsey Groups’ (AGG) to harmonise advocacy and social action interventions in the fight against galamsey. We believe that only through unity and collective action can we effectively combat this issue.
The focus of the campaign against illegal mining activities is not limited to gold exploitation, but includes all mining offences committed under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) based on the premise that the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, states that any mining activity that takes place without ratification by Parliament is illegal
Source:norvanreports.com