We started well, then lost track – A-Rocha Ghana on galamsey fight after helicopter crash

A-Rocha Ghana, an environmental group, has expressed disappointment in Ghana's ongoing battle against illegal mining, known as galamsey. Despite a strong public response following the tragic helicopter crash on August 6 last year, which claimed eight lives, including government and military officials, the organization alleges that the country has lost direction in the fight.

Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Director of A-Rocha Ghana, explained on Joy News' PM Express that initial momentum following the crash helped rally support for the cause. However, he stated, "Then somehow we lost track." Authorities and stakeholders, according to Bosu, "took our eyes off the ball," leading to the current worrying situation.

The group had hoped to establish a baseline for combating illegal mining, but Bosu admits that the problem has worsened to the point where "we thought we had a baseline." He expressed hopelessness on the ground, observing that the country is now "hopeless."

When asked if Ghana is worse off a year after the renewed national push against galamsey, Bosu unequivocally answered "Yes!" He emphasized that the failure to maintain the momentum generated after the tragic incident raises serious concerns about the country's approach to the illegal mining issue.