By Amoako Kwame
Participants at a Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)workshop have labeled illegal mining (galamsey) as the top emerging threat to both human safety and Ghana’s national security.
At a dialogue backed by the Embassy of Spain, stakeholders from across Ghana’s institutions identified illegal mining as a multifaceted crisis linked to organized crime and national security threats like terrorism, human trafficking, drug abuse and violent extremism
According to KAIPTC Senior Researcher Ernest Ansah Lartey, a recent two-week study confirms that illegal mining now endangers both community safety and national health
“One, that is evolving into a safety and security ecosystem,” he said, noting that the sector has become highly organised and mechanised, involving networks of financiers, equipment suppliers and actors within political and economic structures.
Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister during the symposium added that the illegal mining fight called for discussions on strong alternatives rather than the basic livelihoods skills
“how can you easily convince someone who gets 1500 cedis a day to stop the trade on a silver platter, there should be real social interventions and sustainable approaches. I also believe that we should begin taking lands from any chief who oversees galamsey in his or her community aside other harsh punishment…there should be the need for outright forfeitment.” He said
The minister also confirmed that the illegal mining trade had ravaged 11 of the 14 districts in the Western Region and is planning to team up with NAIMOS to establish three Bases in Ellembelle, Amenfi East and Ahanta West for monitoring.
