President of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Michael Kojo Peprah, has opined that the use of the military in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is not an effective approach.
He proposed engaging communities where illegal mining is taking place, inviting miners, chiefs, and other stakeholders, and educating them on the issue of illegal mining, with the hope that these same miners will eventually actively oppose those involved.
He lamented that all the efforts in dealing with the national canker have failed and that it was about time we took a different approach.
”Several people involved in galamsey are unaware that their activities are illegal. We must sensitise these people. Bring the entire community on board. We can begin by organising a durbar at the regional level, inviting chiefs and other stakeholders to be sensitised and taught the best approach to mining. This is the only strategy that can help us succeed.
“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.”
He stressed that everything in Ghana is community-based, ’’and that is how the galamsey fight should be done. If we keep depending on the government to fight this, we will fail. We have to also consider licensing these small-scale miners and ensure that they mine in accordance with the law. The use of intimidation and armed soldiers will not work. It will fail’’.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
