Energy Analyst Kwadwo Poku has called for the establishment of special laws and courts to effectively stop galamsey, warning that Ghana’s existing legislation is failing to curb illegal mining along river bodies and riverbanks.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Poku said, “We need special laws. The laws in our statute today do not fight galamsey. Our existing laws do not stop galamsey.”
While mining is prohibited within certain meters of riverbanks, enforcement remains weak, allowing illegal mining to continue unchecked.
He questioned the effectiveness of current enforcement, asking, “When somebody is arrested mining in the river body or on the riverbanks where there is a law against it, what does the court do? What is the law?”
Mr. Poku also raised concerns about illegal excavators flooding the country, with many stuck at the ports due to a clearance hold.
“Go to the port and see the number of excavators now stuck there. Do you think it’s the small-scale miners in the villages importing these machines? No,” he said.
Calling for stronger action, Mr. Poku revealed that he sent a message via WhatsApp to Lands Minister Kofi Buah, telling him: “Criminalize the owners of excavators and establish special courts and laws to prosecute mining on river bodies and riverbanks.”
He added, “If your excavator is found doing illegal mining, you go to jail. That is how galamsey will disappear.”
Despite the hold on excavators at the ports, Mr. Poku expressed frustration over enforcement at the community level.
“When someone is caught engaging in illegal mining, authorities go to the villages. My sister Louisa Bissiw is doing all she can, but what happens after she arrests them? That is the problem,” he said.
Without urgent reforms, Mr. Poku warned, galamsey will continue to devastate Ghana’s environment and waterways.
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