Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ghana's Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has adamantly opposed proposals to impose a state of emergency in order to combat galamsey, or unlawful mining. He acknowledged the gravity of the problem while stressing that the administration is giving realistic solutions precedence over extreme measures in his remarks at the administration Accountability Series.
Galamsey has seriously harmed the environment by
contaminating waterways, clearing forests, and endangering the health of local
populations in mining areas. The minister feels that a planned, long-term
strategy will produce greater outcomes, even in the face of public uproar and
calls for quick action. The catastrophic consequences of galamsey have caused a
great deal of worry. In impacted areas, rivers and streams are severely
contaminated, rendering the water unfit for farming and drinking. Due to
exposure to dangerous chemicals used in illicit mining, local communities'
health is at risk, and forests have been destroyed. Many people are reminded of
the government's pledge to end galamsey in the 2024 election, which has
increased public annoyance.
An official state of emergency to demonstrate the gravity of
the situation has been advocated by some organisations, while others have urged
for the deployment of security personnel to close down illicit mining
operations. Mr Buah described the government's commitment to a national
emergency response structure in lieu of making a big announcement. This
strategy addresses the underlying causes of illegal mining while concentrating
on long-term fixes.
Reforming the mining licence system to increase its
efficiency and transparency is a crucial part. In order to lessen the
disruption and environmental damage brought on by unregulated activities, the
government intends to encourage illegal miners to formalise their operations by
simplifying the procedure. The minister also emphasised neighbourhood-based efforts to lessen the effects of galamsey. Campaigns for public awareness are
supporting sustainable methods and teaching communities about the risks
associated with illicit mining. In order to identify practical solutions,
stakeholder engagement is encouraging cooperation between miners, government
organisations, and local leaders.
Furthermore, in an effort to undo some of the environmental
harm brought on by galamsey, the "Tree for Life" project is
aggressively recovering degraded forest regions. The government's conviction
that a pragmatic, inclusive strategy will better handle the issue than
declaring a state of emergency is reflected in these initiatives. In order to
combat galamsey and protect Ghana's natural resources for future generations,
the government is concentrating on reform, community involvement, and restoration.
SOURCE: https://www.adomonline.com/
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