Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah has outrightly rejected every call to adopt extreme aggression to combat the activities of illegal miner (popularly known as galamseyer) in Ghana.
The galamseyers who are fast decimating Ghana’s river bodies and forest reserves with impunity have to been described by many well-meaning Ghanaians, Civil Society Organisations, Clergy Groups, journalists and even some government officials as “hardened criminals”.
Despite the extreme measures rolled out in recent past to mitigate the menace including burning of galamsey site, equipment like excavators, hundreds of arrest and prosecution, the canker still festers with many now calling for a declaration of state of emergency. Others even suggest a “shoot-to-kill” but the minister rebuffed all these calls.
According to the minister, dialogue and education of illegal miner will help win their hearts and end the menace that has reached a disastrous level.
The Minister speaking at Bibiani in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality, said the fight against illegal mining is centered on sensitization, education and active engagement with communities. These methods he said will help people understand the harmful effects of galamsey on the environment and human life.
“The nation is under no illusion that we can end illegal mining through armed force. What will work is winning the hearts and minds of the people. Through education and dialogue, they will come to realize that destroying our environment is destroying our future,”
Mr. Armah Buah also stressed that the fight against galamsey is a collective responsibility. He called on all citizens to play their part in safeguarding the environment, adding that it cannot be left to government and security agencies alone.