Galamsey, is a livelihood issue and until such a time when poverty concerns are dealt with, we can’t fight it with the Law, this is according to the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI).
The illegal mining activity has caused havoc to the country’s water and land resources, which is currently not in Ghana’s favour hence the blame of government by the Executive Director of ILAPI Mr. Bismark Peter Kwoffie.
Commenting on the President Nana Addo’s resolve to dissolving the Inter-Ministerial Committee in charge of the illegal mining, on Ahotor 92.Fm news , Mr Kwoffie jabbed the Committee that it was bound to fail even before it started working.
“If you will remember, the very first time the Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal mining was announced, we at ILAPI raised the red flag that it was not the best solution to fight galamsay and won’t last” Mr.Kwoffie said.
The fight against the illegal mining has been moved from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry, a move that Mr.Kwoffie is doubtful if it will help fight the illegal mining.
“Institutions like the Forestry Commission, the Environmental Ministry and the Minerals Commission have failed to fight galamsey how sure are we that the Lands and Natural Resources can fight it?”
He believes that galamsey is a livelihood issue and until when the issue of poverty is solved, there is no need of fighting galamsey using the Law.
The President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo in his last state of the nation address called for a non-partisan national discussion on galasay with all stakeholders.
This, according to him, will allow for a productive dialogue, that will address the menace.
Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh/ Ahotoronline.com
