We lost leadership in the galamsey fight – A-Rocha Ghana

One year after the catastrophic helicopter crash on August 6 that claimed eight lives, including two ministers, environmental advocacy group A-Rocha Ghana has expressed concern that Ghana has lost momentum in the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey. Deputy National Director Daryl Bosu stated that initial public enthusiasm following the tragedy has waned, leaving the nation in an increasingly precarious situation.

Bosu noted that expectations were high that the crash would spur stronger action against illegal mining, but he observed that the period immediately after the incident created a rare sense of urgency. However, he admitted that the country eventually lost focus, allowing the issue to deteriorate further. The environmental group asserts that the gains made in the aftermath of the crash were not maintained and, in fact, may have worsened.

Bosu expressed deepening worry after recent on-the-ground assessments of illegal mining activities, stating that the situation now appears hopeless. He emphasized that the challenge for A-Rocha Ghana has evolved beyond merely sustaining the momentum generated after the tragedy to restoring the leadership and urgency that has been lost in the fight against illegal mining.