President of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kojo Peprah, said they are in support of any efforts aimed at combating illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey.
He said that the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, declaring war on illegal mining was a step in the right direction.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he opined that the declaration of war on illegal mining is the duty of the police, and they take it as a normal declaration enshrined in the constitution.
He said they are looking forward to working with the IGP towards the fight against illegal mining.
Michael Kojo Peprah posited that illegal mining is a threat to our environment, human life and health; hence, they were prepared to work with stakeholders in combating illegal mining.
He said the previous government made several mistakes in its approach to fighting galamsey, especially due to their lack of understanding of the issues.
To him, we cannot fight the galamsey war without the involvement of licensed small-scale miners, adding that we sometimes get people without any practical knowledge and understanding of illegal mining, and some of the proposals they offer are unrealistic.
He stressed that if the government fails to engage them and find practical solutions, they will fail like the previous government tabtbwastwd $200 million on drones.
He proposed engaging communities where illegal mining is ongoing, inviting these miners, chiefs, and other stakeholders, and educating them on the issue of illegal mining, and in due time, these same miners will actively oppose those involved in illegal mining.
Meanwhile, he has argued that the use of the military in the fight against galamsey is not effective and will fail.
“We have failed in the fight against galamsey because of the involvement of the military. It is unsustainable. Mining is not something bad; that is the understanding we should have. Several countries, like Malawi, Burkina Faso, and others, have succeeded at it. We should encourage people to engage in responsible mining. We can sleep on gold, but our people will go hungry. If we want to stop the destruction, then we have to teach these miners responsible mining.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
