Galamsey fight remains ineffective despite NAIMOS arrests and seizures – Awula Serwah
The Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, says Ghana has yet to make meaningful progress in the fight against illegal mining, warning that the country remains at risk of an ecological catastrophe.
Eco-Conscious Citizens' Executive Director Awula Serwah warns that Ghana's efforts to combat illegal mining have yielded little meaningful progress, putting the nation at risk of severe ecological damage. Despite government announcements of arrests and equipment seizures, illegal mining activities persist, threatening rivers and natural resources. Questioning the arrest of politically connected individuals involved in illegal mining, Serwah asks why only a few have been arrested and prosecuted.
She also expresses concern over the continued use of heavy machinery like chanfang machines and excavators in water bodies and mining areas, despite government enforcement operations. Serwah further queries the effectiveness of the government's plan to reclaim degraded lands, insisting that tangible environmental improvements must be demonstrated.
Her assessment comes amid renewed government efforts, with President Mahama announcing the confiscation of over 8,200 items used in illegal mining, including 135 excavators and nearly 200 firearms, and the allocation of GH¢200 million for reclamation projects by 2027. However, her comments raise questions about whether these measures are adequate to dismantle illegal mining networks and safeguard Ghana's water bodies and forests.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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