President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to traditional authorities nationwide to help the government in its campaign against unlawful mining operations, commonly referred to as galamsey. He emphasized that enforcement initiatives must be paired with the creation of alternative employment opportunities for affected communities.
The President underscored that the participation of chiefs was fundamental to the effectiveness of this initiative, considering their established connections with community members and their authority within conventional territories where unlawful mining persists.
During a formal reception of the Western North Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, he advocated for enhanced coordination among the government, traditional leadership, and law enforcement bodies to mitigate the ecological and safety hazards stemming from unlawful mining.
President Mahama recognized the accomplishments of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in addressing this challenge but voiced apprehension regarding circumstances in which enforcement personnel face opposition from community members, including certain traditional authorities, throughout their operations.
He noted that such confrontations obstruct the suppression of unlawful mining and may develop into violent confrontations, rendering the backing of chiefs and community representatives vital for accomplishing enduring outcomes.
“We require the assistance of our chiefs in combating galamsey because you reside within the community alongside the inhabitants, and although NAIMOS frequently performs effectively, there are occasions when we enter certain communities, and the young people, traditional authorities, and others resist NAIMOS.
“There have been occurrences where military personnel have been compelled to fire weapons, which led to several casualties. We aim to prevent such situations, and therefore, if we can secure the cooperation of our chiefs to participate in the campaign against unlawful mining, particularly in our forest zones and aquatic environments.”
The President’s petition emerges during ongoing governmental initiatives aimed at reinforcing enforcement mechanisms against unlawful mining operations, especially within forest reserves and regions where such activities pose risks to riverine systems and aquatic ecosystems.
Unauthorized mining constitutes a significant environmental challenge throughout Ghana, with associated operations contributing to forest cover depletion, soil degradation, and contamination of water resources.
These adverse effects generate apprehension regarding the long-term viability of natural resources and the economic sustainability of populations reliant upon them.
