Eco-Conscious Citizens, a leading environmental advocacy group, has called for a more sustainable, long-term solution to address the illegal mining menace, commonly known as galamsey.
The group believes that the current measures, though necessary, are not enough to eliminate the problem permanently.
Awula Serwah, the coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens urged the government to declare a state of emergency in areas heavily affected by galamsey. According to her, only drastic and coordinated measures will effectively combat illegal mining and its devastating environmental impact.
Speaking to Citi News, Awula Serwah stressed that the government must intensify its efforts to fight illegal mining.
“You know, we go to some forest reserves, some machines are destroyed, and then what? They [the illegal miners] go right back afterwards.
“So we want something that will be sustained. But I still think that the first step we need to take is to declare a state of emergency and then go to all our forest reserves, and then enlist the help of the community.
“If you know of any area where illegal miners are, let us know. This is the number to call, and we will go and deal with them. It doesn’t matter what political colours they wear. Unless we do something like that, and pause all small-scale mining, I don’t think we are good to get to the bottom of this matter.
Her comments come after the government deployed over 100 soldiers on Thursday, October 10, as part of the enhanced Operation Halt initiative. The military was sent to galamsey sites in the Eastern Region, specifically targeting illegal mining activities in water bodies such as rivers and streams that are crucial to local communities.
This deployment is a continuation of the government’s broader strategy to clamp down on illegal mining, which has led to the contamination of water bodies and the destruction of farmlands.
The soldiers, equipped with surveillance drones and high-tech equipment, are tasked with destroying illegal mining machinery, including excavators and dredging equipment while arresting those involved in mining activities in prohibited areas.
This phase of Operation Halt is focused on river bodies like the Birim and Pra Rivers, which have seen significant pollution due to galamsey operations.
Despite the military deployment, Awula Serwah emphasized the need for a holistic approach to resolving the crisis, highlighting that temporary crackdowns are insufficient to address the underlying drivers of illegal mining.
She called for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, alternative livelihoods for miners, and stronger community engagement to prevent a resurgence of illegal activities once the military withdraws.
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