Gov’t going round in circles in the fight against galamsey – Erastus Asare Donkor

Investigative journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has criticized the government's efforts to combat illegal mining, stating they resemble those of the previous administration. While the current administration appears more open to concerns, its actions do not align with its declarations, casting doubt on its dedication to eradicating this issue.

During a discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Donkor highlighted the government's approach suggests a lack of urgency needed to defeat illegal mining, emphasizing that a genuine fight demands full commitment and resources from the state. He pointed out that the government continues to employ strategies that have proven ineffective in the past while neglecting to provide necessary resources to those tackling the problem.

Although the Mahama administration is more responsive to stakeholder concerns, it is not fulfilling the promises made. Mr. Donkor urged President John Dramani Mahama to hold Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) accountable for illegal mining activities within their jurisdictions, as they are better positioned to identify such operations due to their knowledge of the local area.

He argued that relying solely on NAIMOS, without holding local authorities accountable, would hinder the fight, as miners could easily return to mined areas after task force personnel have departed. He warned that without consistent monitoring and accountability, the progress made during enforcement operations would quickly be lost.

Mr. Donkor insisted that the President must hold his own appointees responsible for their respective areas of authority. "Until the President starts holding his own appointees to account, hold them responsible for their own jurisdictions. If we don’t do that, then we are fighting a wild goose chase, and it will come to nothing," he concluded.