Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, has called for a ban on the use of earth-moving equipment or excavators in the mining areas.
Illegal miners’ activities have over the years depleted Ghana's forest cover. Their activities also pollute water bodies due to the crude and unregulated nature of the mining process.
The introduction of sophisticated equipment, the use of dangerous chemicals and the recent influx of foreign – predominantly Chinese – miners have significantly exacerbated its negative effects.
Due to the bad effects of illegal mining, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has deployed some 200 soldiers to remove all persons involved in illegal mining after his earlier promise in 2017 to eradicate the problem of galamsey “once and for all”, somewhat failed.
Galamsey & Earth-moving Equipment
One of the main equipment used by illegal miners in their operation which leaves devastating effects on Ghana’s land and water resources is excavator.
As part of government’s latest operations to rid forests and water bodies of the illegal miners, several excavators have been seized and burnt to deter the illegal miners from undertaking the activity.
But sections of the Ghanaian public have protested against the destruction of these mining equipment seized from galamseyers. Those against the practice believed the equipment could be auctioned or put to use by the government through the various assemblies in road construction or other beneficial activities, rather than burning it.
Temporary Ban
It would be recalled that in 2019, Government placed a temporary ban on the importation of these excavators into the country.
The decision was taken by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a Cabinet meeting on March 27, 2019.
The ban formed part of moves by the government after Nana Addo launched the then 'Operation Vanguard', a military-police joint task force to combat the menace of illegal mining.
It took effect from May 1, 2019.
Failed?
However, a combination of governance shortcomings, criminalisation of the sector under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s first mandate failed to curb galamsey resulting in the dissolution of the inter-ministerial task force against galamsey.
Renewed Fight
Under mounting pressure from environmental advocates and youth groups, compounded by the need to restore investor confidence following several scandals affecting the extractives sector, a new "war" on galamsey has been launched under a different sector minister.
Consequently, so many Ghanaians including Nana Akomea in proffering ways to stop the menace, believes a collective approach is necessary.
Nana Akomea also holds the view that a ban on the use of earth-moving equipment or excavators for surface mining will help to curb galamsey.
“Let’s ban earth-moving equipment from surface mining ultimately…Don’t permit anybody to use earth-moving equipment”, he stressed on Tuesday's edition of Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
President Akufo - Addo has said it categorically that "he is committed to the fight against galamsey" One beginns to wonder if it is a political fight. With all his good intentions to protect Ghanas water bodys and the environment, there is the need to dig out the main game players involved and behind the operation of illegal mining in Ghana. Why are some big local chiefs, politicians and even some security officers not been part or not getting involved with the crusade of fighting galamsey by the Nana Akufo Addo. Its interesting to note that some big local chiefs since the fight aginst the illegal mining initiated by the president had not even commented or expressed their interest of participating in this galamsey fighting exercises. In as much as Nana Akufo Addo has committed his political intention of eradicating the illigal mining in Ghana all concerned citizen, (especially, our local chiefs, security officers and some politicians) who have the nation at heart need to get involve in this campaigne exerises. The consequences of these various illigal mining in Ghana is very obvious, rivers and water bodies are polluted, cocoa farm lands are been destroyed, gahanian youth who are suppose to be in school are been used and exploited for the works of illigal miners. Lets joing the campaigne for fighting illigal mining in Ghana in order to protect our God given natural resources. Thank You
Hmmm! the government knows exactly what to do but she is dancing around the problem. Why all these Excavators in our environment causing havoc ?