Kwame Pianim is an economist and a stateman
Renowned economist and stateman, Kwame Pianim, has urged the government to impose a 3 to 6-month freeze on all non-industrial gold mining activities to address the growing menace of galamsey.
This call comes in the wake of the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Omane Boamah and seven others.
Pianim, who made the call during an interview on TV3, strongly indicated that the tragic death of the eight persons who were on a mission to address the galamsey menace must serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent action.
He proposed that the freeze should be followed by the establishment of a presidential commission to investigate the issue and develop realistic solutions to end the menace.
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“We have suggested that there should be a complete freeze, a three-month, six-month freeze, on all non-industrial gold mining, so that a presidential commission is set up to look into it,” he said.
According to Pianim, the freeze would allow for a comprehensive review of the situation, enabling the development of solutions to the social, medical and agricultural problems caused by galamsey.
He emphasised that the time to tackle the threat of galamsey is now, highlighting the significance of the recent tragedy, which has been linked directly to galamsey, because the programme the victims were billed to attend was related to galamsey.
“The fact that these people of government and military personnel lost their lives in trying to go and listen and to resolve this problem is significant,” Pianim noted.
He stressed that the galamsey issue poses an existential threat to the nation and posited that the government must take decisive action to address it.
Pianim’s call for action is underscored by his assertion that “the litmus test for the second coming of President Mahama is how he tackles and resolves the galamsey issue.”
The proposed freeze and establishment of a presidential commission would be a crucial step towards finding a lasting solution to the galamsey menace.
The entire country has been plunged into a state of endless mourning since Wednesday, August 6, 2025, when all eight persons onboard a Z9 helicopter lost their lives in a gory crash.
The victims included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Others were: Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Members of the helicopter’s crew were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sgt Ernest Addo Mensah.
NAAB/SEA
Meanwhile, watch below the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures: