The Story of Galamsey in Kyebi Area

In my previous article on illegal mining in Ghana, I focused on how foreigners especially Chinese have “bought” the local leaders to rob our nation of its resources and pride. Within some weeks after I wrote on the topic, the security officials and the government took a stern look at the practice and caused the arrest and deportation of many foreigners who were involved in mining without a license to operate. During a visit to commission a water project at Kyebi last year, President Mahama remarked, “…excuse me to say, Akyem Abuakwa has turned into the headquarters of galamsey in Ghana. I came here by air and if you see how the land is being destroyed, it saddens me.” The President later apologized on this statement. I strongly believe the Presidents apology was not necessary as it was and is a statement of fact.
As a New Year dawns 2016, I decided to visit some of the towns and Villages specifically Afiasa and Apapam in the Kyebi Area in the Eastern region of Ghana. My expectations had been a reduced case of the destructions and menace of illegal mining activities in the region. It turned out ironically that “aluta continua”. Local men and women were busily excavating land and destroying forest and cocoa farms in search of Gold dusts. I do not intend to discuss the effects of illegal mining in this article but to urge us all to take responsibility of our environment because our natural resources is all we have.
Gold and all minerals in Ghana are precious and need to be mined to support our weakly economic. Of course we cannot sit on Gold and diamond to east sand. Note that in Ghana we are blessed with the prospect of minerals on every part of our land. The question however is that shall we overcome the cost of extraction and damage to the environment on mining in particular place in a particular manner? Simply, is such illegal mining profitable when you consider the damage to the environment?
Kofi Bonsu (actual name withheld) who works as a supervisor for a sponsor to a Galamsey operations remarked “Are you thinking of filling back land and planting trees? No way have you just taken your Gold and leave.” It is clear that there is no such thing as mining license and EPA Permits in their dictionary. This is how the Galamsey operations affect our natural resources.
The Minerals Commission offers license to qualified and responsible mining companies in order to control and guide the operations of mining in the country. It also ensures compliance with Ghana’s Mining and Mineral Laws and Regulation through effective monitoring. It is clear that the Mineral Commission is defunct in monitoring the activities of mining operations in Ghana. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Security Services of the country have their due responsibilities.
What ought we to do as individuals. We all have a duty to protect our natural resources. If you have any complaints or suspicious of any mining activity undertaken in your community, Immediately inform the authorities or the Mineral Commissions on hotlines:
030 2771318, 030 2779823.