Some of the participants
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has bemoaned the lack of political will from successive governments to walk the talk by ensuring an end to illegal mining or galamsey.
According to the Association, governments’ unwillingness to end galamsey has caused a great disservice to Ghana.
Speaking at the opening of a mining workshop for some selected journalists across the country in Kumasi last Thursday, the GJA President, Albert Dwumfour, expressed regret that several water bodies have been destroyed through illegal mining.
“The question is, when will Ghana see an end to this menace? We have a huge role to play as journalists,” he pointed out.
The three-day workshop was organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines in collaboration with GJA.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the media on mining reporting among others.
Some of the topics discussed included Regulatory regimes on mining in Ghana; Mining as a Catalyst for Development; Responsible Reporting and Media Ethics.
The GJA President indicated that galamsey is no longer a threat to individual livelihoods, but a national security threat.
“We have seen the devastating effects of galamsey, the environmental degradation and the social conflicts that often accompany the resource extraction,” he mentioned.
He added that chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, children born with deformities, kidney failure, and its attendant health challenges are all linked to galamsey.
He, however, noted that it is the responsibility of journalists to go deeper and push duty bearers to root out illegal mining and use revenues earned from mining judiciously for the benefit of people who are the real owners of the nation’s minerals.
Mr. Dwumfuor mentioned that the workshop was a testament to the shared vision of two pivotal organisations—the GJA and the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
“Your incisive reporting can engender policy shifts, ensuring the better and more responsible extraction of our mineral resources for national development,” he added.
“The Minerals Commission is reviewing its Act. We need to follow the process and ensure that the provisions in the revised Act offer better solutions to our mining challenges,” he told the journalists.
Mr. Dwumfuor indicated that the Association will continue to seek opportunities to enhance the knowledge, skills, and welfare of members across the country.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Kumasi