CSOs Demand Urgent Action From Gov’t, Political Parties Against Galamsey

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on Extractives, Anti-Corruption, and Good Governance has called on the government to take immediate, comprehensive action against illegal mining, due to its devastating impact on the country’s environment.

Speaking at the Africa Water Week Partners Press Engagement on Monday, the Coalition demanded that the government address the root causes of galamsey, pointing to the entrenched political and economic dynamics that have hampered efforts to tackle the crisis.

The Coalition highlighted how previous government measures have failed largely due to the involvement of state and local authorities in facilitating illegal mining, especially within protected forest reserves.

A recent report by The Fourth Estate and investigations by Tiger Eye P.I. reveal that some government officials and members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining have allegedly accepted bribes, undermining public trust in the government’s resolve.

The Coalition called for an immediate revocation of all mining licenses for reconnaissance, prospecting, exploration, and mining activities in the forest and protected areas, emphasizing the need to protect ecologically sensitive regions from further degradation.

 The Coalition demanded the repeal of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2462), which permits mining within forest reserves. They argue that this regulation has weakened protections and contributed to the rapid destruction of forest cover across the nation.

In place of the current Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, the Coalition proposes a Multi-stakeholder Group. This diverse body would ensure a transparent and collective approach to address the issue, leveraging varied expertise to develop effective, sustainable solutions.

The Coalition urged Ghana’s main political parties the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)  to publicly commit to eradicating illegal mining by 2025. This call reflects growing public sentiment for definitive actions from political leaders to resolve the crisis.

The Coalition’s demands represent a broader appeal for systemic reform and accountability in Ghana’s approach to illegal mining. They emphasized that any genuine commitment to tackling galamsey must confront the political and economic enablers that have allowed illegal mining to flourish.

This Coalition includes key CSOs such as the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), iWatch Africa, and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), all committed to advocating for a sustainable and corruption-free extractive sector in Ghana​

Source:thehighstreetjournal.com