The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awulah Serwah, says the fight against illegal mining, aka galamsey, is stuck on promises instead of decisive action.
She believes the government’s repeated assurances have yet to translate into visible progress.
Her comments follow President John Mahama’s meeting with Civil Society Organisations at the Jubilee House, where he urged them to intensify advocacy and keep the government under pressure to end illegal mining.
But speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 6, Awulah Serwah said after nine months of promises, little has changed on the ground.
“…also little things like a number that one can call when one sees excavators moving, or changfans on our water bodies, we haven’t got that yet,” she said.
She noted that although the government announced plans to set up a call centre to help track illegal mining activities, “it seems to us that that’s taken a little too long.”
Awulah Serwah pointed out that some of the actions expected were simple, practical steps that could have been done quickly.
“There are some things that people would have seen as low-hanging fruit, such as the repeal of LI 2462, a common number that one can call to say that ‘The excavators are moving, can you do something about it?’”
She also expressed concern about the lack of accountability among local authorities.
“We would have liked an indication as to having something to do with the MCEs, the DCEs and the police when, under their watch, there’s illegal mining. What are we going to do to ensure that they do something about it?”
Giving an example of community success, she cited the town of Jema.
“We really need to applaud them. There’s no illegal mining there. Why not? Because they have a very good chief, and the community and Father Blay have come together and ensure that there’s no illegal mining in the community.”
According to her, the government could learn from such examples.
“It would have been helpful if the President could have informed the meeting of why they are doing so well, so others could follow that, but there was no opportunity for that.”
She said that although the President spoke of plans to establish special courts to fast-track galamsey cases, there was still no clear deadline.
“Yes, special courts are going to be set up, but we really haven’t got any timeline. So a lot of promises about what will be done, but as to when that will be done, we’re still waiting.”
For Eco-Conscious Citizens, the message is simple, Ghana needs less talk and more action to save its rivers, forests, and communities from the devastation of galamsey.
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