Galamsey: Ghana still faces national emergency – Awula Serwah
The Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has warned that Ghana remains in a national emergency over illegal mining, arguing that current interventions have yet to deliver the environmental progress needed to protect the country’s natural resources. She said that despite government claims of arrests, equipment seizures and plans to reclaim degraded lands, illegal […]
Eco-Conscious Citizens' Awula Serwah has expressed deep concern over Ghana's ongoing struggle with illegal mining, stating that the nation is still grappling with a national emergency. Despite government claims of progress, she argues that current measures have not yielded sufficient environmental improvements to safeguard the country's vital natural resources.
During a discussion on JoyNews' Newsfile program, Ms. Serwah questioned the effectiveness of enforcement actions, particularly the prosecution of influential individuals linked to illegal mining activities. "We talk about arrest, but how many politically connected persons or so-called high fliers have actually been arrested and prosecuted?" she asked, highlighting the need for accountability.
She also expressed worry about the persistent presence of chanfang machines in water bodies and the continued movement of excavators, questioning the efficacy of efforts to prevent mining operations from resuming. Concerning the government's land reclamation program, Ms. Serwah sought clarification on what practical steps would be taken to ensure lasting environmental recovery.
"From where we are sitting and our activists up and down the country, we cannot say that things have become better and we still face a national emergency and we are still on the verge of an ecological catastrophe," she lamented. Her concerns arise following President John Dramani Mahama's announcement of the confiscation of over 8,200 items associated with illegal mining, including 135 excavators and nearly 200 firearms.
Plans are also in place to reclaim 5,000 acres of degraded land by 2027, with a budget of GH¢200 million allocated to the project. However, Ms. Serwah remains unconvinced, pointing out that the continued degradation of water bodies and ecosystems means Ghana cannot yet claim victory in the battle against galamsey. She is urging for stronger accountability and tangible evidence that government interventions are yielding sustainable results.
Written by urgent.news from Adom Online's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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