File photo of the Birim River in 2024
Business and society expert, and Research Lead at Buckinghamshire New University, UK, Professor Fred Yamoah, has joined the growing chorus calling for urgent government action to tackle Ghana’s illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
During an appearance on JoyNews on October 5, 2024, Prof. Yamoah cautioned that political leaders who ignore the crisis may spend their time in office trying to revive a country devastated by illegal mining.
“Galamsey has days and ways to reach a tipping point, and we have no business folding our arms or planning only to attempt to protect our heritage after elections. You may win power only to inherit a country with an unhealthy human resource that is unfit,” he warned.
He also questioned what losses the government would incur if Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which permits mining in forest reserves, is repealed.
“I understand that you are seeking extra time for discussions with Organised Labour to reach an amicable agreement on their demand.
“But I ask, what would Ghana in your presidency lose if, in the interim, you announce no further concessions and licenses should be approved?” he asked.
He urged the government to halt new mining concessions and licenses until regulatory gaps in the sector are addressed.
“Initiate under a certificate of emergency, the repeal of that calamitous L.I. 2462 that legally permits mining under the forest reserves, passed under your hand in November 2022, for a reasonable period until this prevailing huge vacuum in the sector is filled,” he said.
Prof. Yamoah pointed out the need for immediate action, suggesting that the government should announce a moratorium on new concessions and licenses and initiate the repeal of L.I. 2462 under a certificate of emergency.
This, he argued, would provide time to address the significant regulatory gaps in the sector.
The call for action comes amid increasing pressure from Organised Labour, which has threatened to strike on October 10, 2024, if a state of emergency is not declared to protect the country’s natural resources.
ID/AE
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