ProForum Canada, the professional arm of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its failure to fulfill its promises in addressing the illegal mining known locally as galamsey, which has recently plagued Ghana. Despite the NPP’s pledges to tackle the menace, the problem has worsened, with severe implications for the country’s environment, economy, and communities.
In 2017, shortly after assuming office, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declared the fight against illegal mining a top priority, famously stating that he would put his presidency on the line to eradicate it. The government implemented measures, including deploying an anti-galamsey task force and imposing a temporary ban on small-scale mining. However, these efforts, as ProForum Canada points out, have been insufficient and riddled with inconsistencies, failing to make a significant impact on the galamsey crisis.
We contend that the NPP government has not demonstrated the political will to follow its promises. Instead of decisive action, their approach has been marred by corruption and cronyism, which has allowed illegal mining operations to continue unabated, sometimes with the complicity of local officials.
Illegal mining has wreaked havoc on Ghana’s environment, particularly its water bodies and forests. ProForum highlights that rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim have been heavily polluted by toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide used in mining operations. This contamination poses severe health risks to communities reliant on these water sources for drinking and farming. Additionally, the destruction of forests and arable land has long-term implications for agriculture and food security in the country.
The economic consequences of illegal mining are unimaginable. The destruction of cocoa farms, a major source of foreign exchange for Ghana, has been significant. Farmers have lost livelihoods as fertile lands have been transformed into barren wastelands, affecting local economies and the nation’s agricultural exports.
Despite these consequences, the government has not demonstrated an effective strategy to curtail these activities.
At the heart of ProForum’s criticism is the NPP government’s failure to establish accountability and transparency in its fight against illegal mining. It is a fact that elements within the government (from Nana Addo, through Bawumia, their MPs, appointees and party executives or their goro boys) are deeply involved in the activities they are supposed to eradicate. Reports of missing excavators and alleged involvement of
government officials in illegal mining operations have undermined public confidence in the administration’s commitment to this cause.
The professional group calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the government’s handling of illegal mining. This will reveal the extent to which corruption and lack of oversight have contributed to the persistence of the galamsey problem. Furthermore, ProForum argues that future efforts to combat illegal mining will be futile without holding those responsible accountable. ProForum Canada proposes a series of recommendations to address the illegal mining crisis effectively. Firstly, we call for more vigorous enforcement of existing laws, focusing on rooting out corruption within the agencies that regulate mining activities. This includes holding both small-scale operators and their political backers accountable.
Secondly, we advocate for an inclusive policy-making approach involving critical stakeholders such as traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and local communities in the fight against galamsey. Proforum believes the government can build greater public trust and cooperation by incorporating these groups into decision-making processes.
Finally, the professional body urges the government to invest in sustainable mining practices and alternative livelihoods for those affected by the crackdown on illegal mining. By providing economic alternatives, particularly for the youth in the mining communities, the government can mitigate the economic drivers that push individuals toward illegal mining.
ProForum’s scathing critique of the NPP government’s handling of illegal mining is a call to action for the government to take the issue more seriously. As Ghana grapples with the environmental, economic, and social costs of illegal mining, we maintain that the nation can overcome this crisis through genuine political will, transparency, and community involvement. Until then, the NPP’s failure to deliver on its promises remains a significant blot on its governance record.
Edgar Balinia Adda
edgarbalinia@yahoo.com
Secretary, NDC ProForum Canada
Source: modernghana.com
