Galamsey an environmental enemy, to do nothing is not an option, says Asantehene

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a strong call for professional bodies, including the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), and University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), to intensify efforts in the fight against illegal mining.

His call follows his firsthand observation of the severe pollution of the River Pra, describing the situation as “embarrassing.”

Otumfuo emphasized the grave threat that illegal mining, or galamsey, poses to Ghana’s water supply and environment, urging lawyers, doctors, and academics to form a united front.

“Galamsey is an environmental enemy for the nation. What could be more serious for any people than to have the entire water supply system at risk? So, I think as lawyers you should find space during this conference to set up a panel to undertake a quick tour of the communities where this call is most prevalent to see the extent of the crisis we face and hopefully deliberate on how the laws should respond.”

“As I see it, if an individual poisoned the water supply of a community, he will be liable for severe consequences under the law. What does the law do when one pours mercury into the same water supply knowing fully well it can kill? This issue now requires the collective effort of all sections of society. To do nothing is no longer an option. The Bar Association, the medical association and the university should get together to deal with this emergency.”

Commending the GBA for its strong stance against galamsey, the Asantehene encouraged all sectors of society to collaborate and tackle the issue, stressing that inaction is no longer an option.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has disclosed that a crucial national security meeting will be held on Wednesday with all 16 regional ministers to address the ongoing illegal mining crisis in the country. The meeting will serve as a platform for the ministers to be briefed on the current situation, and to explore strategies for tackling the illegal mining menace.

Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Damongo, revealed in an interview with the Daily Graphic that the government has taken note of the various perspectives shared on the issue of illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey.”

He acknowledged that calls to ban small-scale mining are not new, citing a previous two-year ban on such activities.

“As a government, we have taken note of the divergent views that have been shared on this galamsey matter. We have banned small-scale mining in this country for almost two years before, so this call is not a strange one,” Jinapor said.

The minister emphasised that the upcoming meeting would include a review of the two-year ban on small-scale mining and an evaluation of its successes and challenges. Based on this assessment, the government will decide in the best interest of the nation.

“We will have a review of the process of the two-year ban, looking at the pros and cons, then a decision that will be in the supreme interest of the country will be taken,” Mr Jinapor noted.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

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