Civil society organisations, including the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining (WACAM), the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), and the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), have jointly expressed deep concerns over the ongoing devastation caused by illegal mining and surface mining operations in Ghana.
They argue that weak mining regulations, especially the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), have enabled irresponsible mining practices.
According to the civil groups, illegal mining, commonly referred to as “galamsey,” has become a significant menace, wreaking havoc on Ghana’s natural resources.
The groups believe that the laws governing mining in the country fail to hold mining companies accountable for environmental violations such as cyanide spills, which pose serious risks to public health and the environment.
Compensation issues, the groups stated, were also flagged as a major concern by the groups.
They noted that multinational mining companies often pay meagre sums to poor farmers whose lands are taken over for mining activities. Without adequate negotiating power, these farmers receive unfair compensation, leading to both economic and physical displacement.
This has exacerbated poverty levels in host communities, transforming once-thriving farmers into miners who resort to dangerous methods, such as the use of cyanide, in small-scale mining and galamsey operations.
The groups pointed out that the lack of robust mining regulations and enforcement mechanisms has fueled this transformation, making former farmers desperate miners as the current mining boom continues to unfold.
To address these issues, the civil society organisations have proposed several solutions: including a non-partisan approach, a moratorium on mining licences and a joint citizen mass action.
“A non-partisan approach to the fight against the menace of all kinds of surface mining operations. Placing a moratorium on the grant of mining licences to cover all categories of mining.
“Promotion of Joint Citizens’ Mass Actions involving the Clergy, Churches, Workers, Market Women, Media, Traditional Authorities etc., to hold governments to commitments to fight all forms of surface mining issues including galamsey.
“A complete review of laws and regulations governing mining operations to include strong environmental safeguards,” part of the statement read.
Meanwhile, the government has taken certain measures to address the crisis. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has deployed military officers to forest reserves and water bodies as part of the ongoing “Operation Halt” initiative, aimed at cracking down on illegal mining operations.