Galamsey: Ghanaian Exporters demand immediate, decisive action

The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) has called on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for immediate and decisive action against galamsey activities.

Galamsey has been the trending topic for weeks after the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) raised an alarm about not being able to supply water to some residents in Cape Coast and its surrounds over the illegal mining at River Oti.

In light of this, some public institutions have threatened to demonstrate while others have threatened a walkout if the galamsey is not banned by ending of September.

The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian exporters have also called on the president to prosecute persons involved in galamsey activities which has contributed to environmental pollution in the country.

In a press statement released, FAGE demanded immediate government action to halt the destruction and restore the country’s natural resources.

Below is the full statement:

“The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) is deeply alarmed by the uncontrolled surge of illegal mining activities ravaging Ghana’s Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regions, particularly in the critical Birimian and Tarkwaian basins.

The devastating consequences of this unchecked illegal mining epidemic are far-reaching and potentially irreversible:

1. Severe threats to national food and water security

2. Unprecedented biodiversity loss that may never be recovered

3. Destruction of vast tracts of agricultural lands, farms, and plantations

4. Impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on farming and ecosystem services for their livelihoods FAGE demands that the President and the government take immediate action to address this crisis.

We call for the following remedial measures to be implemented without delay:

1. An immediate cessation of all forms of small-scale mining activities across the country.

2. The swift deployment of security forces to affected areas to halt illegal mining operations. We urge the government to collaborate with key stakeholders, including traditional chiefs and civil society organizations, to ensure the effective expulsion of illegal miners.

3. The submission of a comprehensive proposal to redirect the labour force currently engaged in illegal mining towards productive employment.

This should focus on agribusiness and manufacturing, driven by large-scale investments in irrigation, agro-industrial parks, and processing facilities.

4. Immediate funding for Renewable Natural Resources Researchers and Ecologists at Ghana’s leading universities to execute bioremediation strategies aimed at restoring our damaged environment.

5. Swift prosecution of all individuals whose negligence has contributed to the environmental devastation we are witnessing.

We call upon all political parties to review, publish, and commit to sign a performance contract with the Ghanaian people, outlining their commitment and strategies to combat illegal mining effectively.

Furthermore, we urge the media to maintain consistent coverage of this critical issue until long-term solutions are implemented and their efficacy is proven.

Ghana’s future hangs in the balance. We demand immediate, decisive action to save our land, water, and people’s sustainable livelihoods.”

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