By Ernest KISSIEDU
The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has noted that government can only win the battle against illegal small scale mining (galamsey) if responsibilities are placed right where they belong.
“We cannot win the battle against galamsey if those held accountable live in Accra and are out of touch with suffering communities,” ACEP warned in a press statement issued in Accra last week and signed by Benjamin Boakye, Deputy Executive Director.
The press statement was in support of the emerging national consensus to deal with illegal small scale mining in Ghana.
It recommended: “The Central Government must decentralize accountability to Chiefs, District Chief Executives, Local-level leadership of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), District Commanders of the state’s Security Agencies, as well as other duty bearers in the sector.”
According to ACEP, these authorities must have the primary responsibility for the sustenance of the environment and be required to give account of their stewardship to local communities and the central government.
“The central government must however be on the beat to support local authorities with security reinforcement and logistics when needed. Civil Society groups and the general public must also provide the needed oversight to keep all duty bearers in check,” ACEP advised.
The group believes that the uncontrolled destruction of the environment for precious minerals, particularly gold, highlights a collective irresponsibility of all involved because lives, lands, water bodies and cash crops are destroyed to the detriment of both current and unborn generations.
However, ACEP lauded the ongoing efforts by government to address the challenges posed by galamsey.
“The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources recently issued a moratorium on licensing to small scale operators and a freeze on all small scale mining activities. While these efforts are in the right direction, it must be noted that similar efforts by past governments were not successful due to the complexity of the problem at hand,” it said.
The group identified that one major impediment to the success of these efforts has been the invisible powers behind illegal mining activities.
