Editorial: Call To Depoliticise Fight Against Galamsey Must Be Embraced By All

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Team, Alfred Thompson, has called on the public to address the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, without partisan politics. Mr. Thompson emphasised that tackling galamsey requires a unified effort from all stakeholders to achieve meaningful results.

Speaking on The Big Issue on an Accra-based TV station on Saturday, September 14, he stated that the devastating effects of galamsey cut across political lines and, as such, the fight should be approached collectively to restore damaged lands and polluted water bodies.

“I was expecting that when we finished the first phase of the elections in 2020, we would have all sat down to say that we should collectively fight it (galamsey), not as political parties but as individuals fighting for a better Ghana because everybody is affected.

“When you go to certain areas like the Central region, water is a problem and it is affecting everybody and so we all have to come together and stop doing  politics with it, because when you put in politics, I will have to resist and make sure that I do not lose out, because everyone wants to make sure that they are protecting their turf.”

He stressed on the efforts of the government aimed at defeating galamsey. Illegal mining remains one of the most pressing environmental, economic and social challenges facing the country. The call by Alfred Thompson to depoliticise the fight against galamsey is both timely and critical.

The devastating effects of galamsey do not discriminate based on political affiliation and addressing it as a non-partisan issue is essential to restoring damaged lands, polluted water bodies and ensuring the long-term health of Ghana’s environment.

The impact of galamsey on the country’s water bodies is perhaps the most visible and immediate consequence. Rivers that once provided clean water for drinking and irrigation have been rendered toxic, due to the heavy use of chemicals like mercury and cyanide in illegal mining operations.

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has raised the alarm multiple times over the rising cost of treating water for public consumption, due to contamination from mining activities.

A 2021 report indicated that GWCL spends up to GH¢10 million more annually to treat polluted water, a cost ultimately passed on to consumers through higher water tariffs. This is an unacceptable burden that could have been avoided with stricter regulation and enforcement.

Mr. Thompson’s statement underscores the need for a unified, collective effort in tackling this crisis. The suggestion to remove politics from the fight against galamsey is crucial because political interference has historically undermined efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities.

Research indicates that the politicians, in an attempt to secure votes often support galamsey operators. This political complicity enables illegal miners to operate with impunity, particularly in rural areas where regulation is lax. For example, in the lead-up to elections, politicians may promise to protect local miners’ interests or look the other way as galamsey activities escalate, further worsening the problem.

As a result many rural communities have lost access to clean water, leading to widespread health issues and reduced agricultural productivity.

According to a report by the World Bank, areas affected by galamsey experience reduced agricultural output due to land degradation, which in turn exacerbates poverty and food insecurity. Restoring these lands requires significant financial investment, technical expertise, and political will—factors that will only come together if the fight is seen as a national priority, not a partisan agenda.

Many of the individuals engaged in galamsey are driven by economic desperation, with mining often being one of the few available means of livelihood in impoverished rural communities.

To tackle galamsey effectively, a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

To nip this canker in the mud, The Chronicle believes there must be stricter enforcement of existing mining regulations, including the prosecution of not only miners but also those in political and business circles who enable illegal operations.  Also, alternative livelihood programs must be scaled up to provide viable economic opportunities for people currently dependent on illegal mining. Programs such as the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs initiative have the potential to absorb some of the labor force from galamsey, but they need to be expanded and better funded.

The media, civil society organisations and community leaders must engage in sustained efforts to educate the public about the long-term consequences of illegal mining on the environment and public health.

The future of the country’s natural resources and the well-being of its people depend on the success of this fight, and it is a battle that must be fought without political interference.

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