Galamsey becoming a ‘pandemic’; Ghana needs united front to fight it – Eric Adjei
Legal practitioner and public interest advocate Eric Adjei says the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, requires a non-partisan approach and a united national front to safeguard Ghana’s depleting natural resources.
Eric Adjei, a legal practitioner and public interest advocate, has warned that illegal mining in Ghana is becoming a "pandemic" that threatens the nation's natural resources. Speaking at the Ghana–UK Policy Summit, Adjei called for a non-partisan, united national approach to combat the issue, emphasizing that it must not be influenced by partisan politics.
He highlighted the extensive damage caused by illegal mining, which includes environmental degradation, public health concerns, food insecurity, and the loss of livelihoods for millions of Ghanaians. The problem has led to the pollution of major rivers, such as the Pra, Ankobra, and Birim, raising fears about access to safe water and increasing water treatment costs.
Adjei urged all key stakeholders, including the government, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, security agencies, political parties, and communities, to collaborate in addressing the issue. Despite previous efforts by successive governments to tackle illegal mining, concerns persist over enforcement and environmental degradation.
Adjei's comments underscore the need for a long-term national strategy that prioritizes the protection of Ghana's natural resources, ensuring that preservation remains a priority even amid changes in political administration and short-term economic gains.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
