The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) has challenged the government’s assertion that the country has successfully overcome the aspect of the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) where powerful actors commit crimes, abuse rights, or break laws with complete exemption from punishment.
That, it said, was because widespread lawlessness, selective enforcement and weak prosecution continued to undermine efforts to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.
At a press conference in Accra, yesterday, the Convenor of the coalition, Kenneth Ashigbey, said although the coalition acknowledged progress made by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the situation on the ground did not support the government’s optimistic assessment.
“We completely disagree with the ministry’s assertion, in its own conclusion, that ‘the era of impunity is over’. The evidence on the ground says otherwise,” he stated.
Rampant illegalities
Mr Ashigbey said illegal mining activities remained rampant in several parts of the country, particularly in the Eastern Region, where he said communities stretching from Apedwa Junction through Anyinam and Osino continued to witness escalating lawlessness despite their proximity to the seat of government.
He questioned what he described as the apparent selective enforcement of anti-galamsey measures, asking why the region appeared to be receiving special treatment while illegal miners continued to intimidate farmers and pollute rivers, including the Birim, Densu and Ayensu.
The coalition also cited persistent illegal mining activities around the Bui Hydroelectric Dam catchment area, Samreboi, Lake Bosomtwe and the Ahwiren wetlands as evidence that impunity remained entrenched.
Mr Ashigbey called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure the arrest and prosecution of all persons implicated in the illegal mining activities around Lake Bosomtwe, describing the situation as a threat to one of the country’s important tourism assets.
The coalition further urged the government to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute alleged galamsey kingpins, arguing that the fight against illegal mining would remain ineffective if politically exposed persons and financiers continue to evade justice.
It iterated that despite earlier assurances by the President and the Attorney-General, investigations into some high-profile cases had yet to produce prosecutions.
NAIMOS allegations, police ineffectiveness
The coalition also raised concerns over allegations of selective enforcement by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), including claims that confiscated equipment was allegedly returned to illegal miners after the payment of unofficial fees.
“If this is true, this is shameful, and it is an affront to the integrity of NAIMOS and to the very mandate it was set up to fulfil. We call on NAIMOS to come clean on this allegation without delay. Where is NAIMOS’s toll-free complaints line published and what is the public record of community complaints received, logged and acted upon?” he said.
The coalition further criticised what it described as the Ghana Police Service’s inadequate response to reports from the government’s Blue Water Guards, saying the success of the initiative depended on swift and decisive law enforcement.
It, therefore, called for disciplinary action against police commanders and officers who failed to combat illegal mining within their jurisdictions.
Commendation
Despite its concerns, the coalition commended the government for revoking Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, which had degazetted portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve, describing the decision as one that prioritised citizens’ well-being over political expediency.
It also welcomed the ongoing review of the Minerals and Mining Act but urged the government to make the Cabinet-approved draft available for public consultation before it is laid before Parliament.
Additionally, the coalition renewed its call for the Forestry Commission to be strengthened through increased personnel, logistical support and a more robust security presence to protect forest reserves from illegal miners.
