Josiah
Eco-Conscious Citizens, a prominent environmental advocacy group, is urging the government to adopt a more sustainable, long-term approach to combat the ongoing illegal mining crisis, commonly known as galamsey. The group believes that while current measures are essential, they are insufficient for permanently eradicating the problem.
Awula Serwah, the coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens, called on the government to declare a state of emergency in areas severely impacted by galamsey. She emphasized that only bold, coordinated actions will effectively tackle illegal mining and its severe environmental consequences.
Awula Serwah highlighted the need for sustained efforts, noting that short-term interventions often fail to yield lasting results. “We go to some forest reserves, destroy machines, but what happens next? The illegal miners return right after,” she explained.
She proposed a state of emergency as a first step, combined with stronger community involvement. “We need to go into all our forest reserves, enlist community help, and set up a reporting system for any illegal mining activities. It doesn’t matter their political affiliations—we must act. Unless we pause all small-scale mining and implement drastic measures, we won’t get to the root of this issue,” Serwah stressed.
Her comments come after the government deployed over 100 soldiers on Thursday, October 10, as part of the enhanced Operation Halt initiative. The military was sent to galamsey sites in the Eastern Region, particularly focusing on illegal mining in rivers and streams vital to local communities. This operation is part of the government’s larger plan to clamp down on illegal mining, which has polluted water bodies and destroyed farmland.
Equipped with surveillance drones and advanced technology, the soldiers are tasked with dismantling illegal mining machinery, such as excavators and dredging equipment, and arresting individuals involved in illegal mining in protected areas. This phase of Operation Halt is primarily targeting river bodies like the Birim and Pra Rivers, which have been severely contaminated by galamsey activities.
Despite these efforts, Awula Serwah insists that a more holistic approach is needed. She emphasized that temporary crackdowns won’t address the deeper causes of illegal mining. Instead, she called for stricter enforcement of mining regulations, the provision of alternative livelihoods for miners, and greater community involvement to prevent the recurrence of illegal activities once the military leaves
