Defence Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal mining, which is also known as galamsey.
Appearing before the Vetting Committee on Tuesday, January 28, Dr. Boamah, relying on the military in dealing with galamsey, was not a holistic approach.
“The fight against galamsey should not be viewed purely through the lens of soldiers going to fight it,” Dr. Boamah stated. He argued that illegal mining is a complex challenge requiring a multifaceted approach that addresses the underlying socioeconomic drivers.
“We need to engage the people and inform them of the other livelihood programs and their benefits,” he added.
He also called for the provision of sustainable opportunities for those involved as part of measures aimed at dealing with the issue.
“So the numbers will reduce, and those that will be left won’t overwhelm the police,” he noted. He further suggested that a combination of modern technology and strategic military involvement would strengthen efforts to combat the remaining illegal activities.
He stressed that we need a coordinated and inclusive approach to dealing with the menace.
“We need to fight galamsey as a comprehensive thing and bring in the military in addition to modern technology to help them deal with it,” Dr. Boamah added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
