The fight against illegal mining or galamsey can no longer be ‘business as usual’ but one which must be put on a war footing with the military prosecuting, as they would a combat situation.
Having tried an assortment of templates over the years in response to the menace, it is our opinion that it be placed on such a footing for effect.
‘Operation Vanguard’ and others have not deterred those engaged in the illegal mining activities some of them non-Ghanaians because we have not reviewed the exercise to determine whether or not progress was being made. Of course, it has failed to reverse the situation and we are seeing it.
In the past few weeks, fingers have been pointed at influential personalities in society as playing key roles in the degradation of our forests and water bodies.
We have heard about the Birim River and the state in which it is now in the aftermath of massive illegal mining activities on it. The same story goes for others.
We have also heard about how the illegal miners have pitched camp in some parts of the Northern Regions. No water body is safe from the dangerous pastimes of the illegal miners.
Therein lies the strong reason the campaign should be put on a war footing. Those whose names have been mentioned in the long list of perpetrators should be named and shamed besides the legal action that must be taken against them.
The subject is beyond what some regard it. Those involved are ready for war having armed themselves with offensive weapons which they are ready to use to protect their destructive enterprise.
It is heartbreaking to hear many Ghanaians pour out their hearts about their lost confidence in officialdom’s ability to stem illegal mining activities in the country.
The last thing a country should endure is a lost confidence by the people who make up the country.
We should work hard, all of us, citizens, public servants, security agents and traditional authorities to reverse the trend.
In a previous commentary, we called upon the Lands Minister to fashion out a way to get traditional authorities involved in the fight against illegal mining. Although some traditional authorities are said to be neck-deep in the activities, efforts should nonetheless, be made at getting this segment of society to join the campaign.
Illegal mining activities, because of the money involved, can be likened to the drug trade the actors are ready to use cash to have their way.
We, underestimate what is confronting us as a nation at our peril. Periodic review of the war, when it is declared, should be undertaken so amends, where necessary, can be made as we move along.
We are dealing with a complex subject which requires equal sophistication in addressing it lest we lose the war.