By Peter Martey AGBEKO
The fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, is an existential battle for Ghana. Despite countless exposés, government interventions, and civil society activism, the menace persists, ravaging our lands, contaminating our water bodies, and threatening the very fabric of our environment.
The latest update from Erastus Asare Donkor, one of Ghana’s foremost investigative journalists on this issue, provides yet another grim reminder of the scale of destruction we are dealing with.
According to Erastus, the Western Regional Police Command recently raided an illegal mining enclave in Avelebo and Akango, within the Evalue Ajomoro-Gwira District. The operation led to the seizure of ten excavators and the arrest of seven foreign nationals alongside eight Ghanaian miners.
These illegal operators have overrun the Evalue Jomoro area, mining indiscriminately and polluting the Ankobra River. Authorities have assured that the seized equipment will be used as evidence in prosecuting the offenders, but as we have seen time and again, will these efforts be sustained?
The Need for Recognition and Sustained Advocacy
Over last weekend, I had the privilege of engaging my fellow APSUnian, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, at an event, and naturally, the topic of galamsey came up. Ken has been relentless in his advocacy against illegal mining, and in my books, he and journalists like Erastus deserve national recognition for their tireless efforts. Without their work, the scale of this devastation would remain underreported, and the fight would be even more difficult.
Similarly, veteran journalist Cameron Duodu has urged me to keep hammering on this issue, emphasising that the only way to make an impact is through sustained pressure. My senior APSU member and accomplished musician, Ben Brako, has also been vocal about his concerns. He recently introduced me to a man who may hold key solutions to reclaiming and restoring our degraded lands.
A Possible Solution? Introducing Martin Yelibora
Ben Brako linked me up with Martin Yelibora, an expert in land reclamation and reforestation. Martin is the founder of Organic Green Ventures and The Eco Clubhouse in Damongo, Savannah Region. His work focuses on land tenure security, climate-smart techniques, and the use of biochar and microbial inoculants to restore degraded soils. His innovations in waste transformation and sustainable agriculture offer real hope in addressing the destruction caused by galamsey.
Some of his key techniques include:
- Charged Biochar for Soil Decontamination: This method remediates soils contaminated by illegal mining by using a combination of organic waste and microbial inoculants to restore fertility and make land productive again.
- Fermentation Pits for Waste Transformation: A zero-waste approach that turns food waste into eco-friendly products, improving soil health and reducing pollution.
- Planting Pits and Bio Inoculants: These accelerate reforestation and crop productivity through locally developed, climate-smart methods.
- Eco Enzymes for Sanitation: Sustainable bio-enzyme solutions for waste management, particularly for eco-toilets and organic cleaning.
I intend to engage Martin in an interview in the coming days to better understand his approach and explore ways to integrate his expertise into Ghana’s broader strategy for environmental restoration. Depending on the outcome, I will facilitate a connection between him and Ashigbey. This is a problem that demands an “all hands on deck” approach.
Ending This Existential Crisis: What Must Be Done?
While discussions and exposés on galamsey are essential, we must translate our outrage into action. The time for rhetoric is over; decisive measures must be taken. Here are some key steps we can take as a nation:
- Enforce Laws Without Fear or Favour
- The law must be applied equally to all perpetrators, irrespective of their political affiliations or societal status. Too often, “big men” walk free while small-scale miners face the full wrath of the law.
- Strengthen the Role of the Security Forces
- There must be continuous, unrelenting military and police operations to dismantle illegal mining operations, seize equipment, and ensure effective prosecutions.
- Prosecute Offenders and Enablers
- It is not enough to arrest illegal miners; those who fund and facilitate these operations must also be brought to justice. If local authorities, politicians, or businesspeople are complicit, they must be exposed and punished accordingly.
- Invest in Land Reclamation and Reforestation
- We must move beyond stopping illegal mining to actively restoring the land. The government and private sector should support innovative solutions like those pioneered by Martin Yelibora.
- Empower Local Communities
- If alternative, sustainable livelihoods are not provided, people will return to illegal mining. We must create viable employment opportunities in sectors like agriculture, eco-tourism, and renewable energy.
- Hold Traditional Authorities Accountable
- Chiefs and community leaders must not only condemn galamsey but take real action to prevent it in their jurisdictions. Where they fail, they must be held responsible.
- Sustained Media and Civil Society Advocacy
- The media, NGOs, and civic groups must continue to expose illegal operations and demand accountability from the government. Silence is not an option.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Galamsey is not just an environmental crisis; it is a threat to our future as a nation. The destruction of our rivers, forests, and farmlands is a direct attack on our economy, health, and well-being. We cannot allow short-term financial gain to destroy generations to come.
The commitment of individuals like Erastus Donkor, Ken Ashigbey, Cameron Duodu, and Ben Brako must inspire us all to stay engaged. The government, local authorities, traditional leaders, and citizens must act in concert to end this menace. We cannot afford to take our eyes off the ball.
I will continue to use my platform to speak out, amplify voices, and push for sustainable solutions. As I engage experts like Martin Yelibora, I invite all stakeholders to join in this fight. The time for action is now.
Galamsey must end, and it must end now!
