The Forestry Commission has acknowledged that corruption among political officials and law enforcement agencies continues to undermine efforts to curb illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a High-Level National Dialogue on Mobilising Citizens’ Consensus on Solutions to the Galamsey Crisis in Ghana, held in Koforidua, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, said corruption within these institutions remains one of the major factors fueling the menace.
“The main drivers of this madness, however, are corruption among political officials and law enforcement agencies, which has exacerbated the problem and undermined efforts to combat this menace. I am sure this is one known truth to all of us in this room,” he stated.
Mr. Kotoko further identified weak enforcement of mining regulations, unemployment, poverty, and limited access to opportunities as additional challenges hindering the country’s fight against illegal mining.
“Limited awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with galamsey among citizens, weak enforcement of mining regulations, unemployment, poverty, and limited access to opportunities — and lastly, the global high demand for gold — incentivise illegal mining,” he added.
He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, and local communities to sustain public awareness and strengthen the enforcement of mining laws.