Galamsey operators exploiting cooperative mining scheme to destroy communities – Erastus Asare Donkor
JoyNews environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor, has alleged that some individuals involved in illegal mining are hiding under the government’s cooperative mining scheme to continue their activities in some mining communities.
Renowned JoyNews environmental reporter Erastus Asare Donkor has accused some illegal miners of exploiting Ghana's cooperative mining scheme to continue destructive mining practices in various communities, including Berekum, Dawma, and the Bekwai–Esiwa road corridor. During a discussion on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on August 6, Donkor expressed alarm over a resurgence in illegal mining activities, stating that areas once thought to be under control by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) were once again witnessing illegal mining operations.
"The whole place in Berekum has been taken over; it is as if there is no chief in Berekum," Donkor lamented, adding that the situation in Dawma was also dire, with NAIMOS personnel quickly overwhelmed by the resurgent galamsey operators. Donkor alleged that some miners were under the guise of the cooperative mining program, undermining its purpose.
"Now people are coming under the cooperative mining initiative and using it to destroy communities," he said, describing the use of this scheme as a particularly painful irony, given that it was intended to promote sustainable mining practices. He cited Bekwai Municipality as a concerning example, noting that operators were mining dangerously close to major roads.
Despite enforcement actions by NAIMOS, Donkor claimed that the situation had merely been temporarily addressed, with mining resuming mere days after the operations. Donkor also alleged that some traditional leaders were complicit in the illegal mining activities, suggesting that chiefs were now supporting the illegal mining within their territories.
The environmental journalist, who has been a vocal critic of illegal mining, called for enhanced oversight of the cooperative mining program to prevent it from being abused by those engaged in illegal mining. The cooperative mining model was introduced by the government as part of its efforts to formalize small-scale mining and promote responsible and sustainable mining practices.
However, Donkor's allegations have raised concerns among stakeholders about the potential misuse of this initiative by illegal miners.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
