Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
Hon. Daniel Kwaku Mensah, a hopeful for the Ashanti Regional Representative of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) and Assembly Member for the Moseaso Electoral Area in the Amansie West District, has called on the government to reconsider its approach to fighting illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey. According to Hon. Mensah, also known as DKM, the military’s involvement in the battle against illegal mining has proven ineffective, and the focus should instead shift to stopping the importation of mining equipment used to degrade the environment.
Speaking to media practitioners in Kumasi, Hon. Mensah, an expert in small-scale mining, emphasized that the government and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources should stop relying on military personnel and rather impose a complete ban on the importation of equipment such as the changfang machines. These machines, often used by illegal miners, have been linked to the destruction of major water bodies in Ghana, including the Ankobra, Offin, Pra, and Densu rivers.
“It’s obvious that illegal mining activities are causing severe damage to our water bodies, and the presence of military personnel hasn’t been enough to stop it,” Hon. Mensah stated. “Instead of deploying soldiers, the government should take a proactive approach by banning the importation of these machines that are causing havoc on our rivers.”
Hon. Mensah proposed that after the ban on the importation of illegal mining equipment, police officers stationed at security checkpoints should be given the authority to arrest individuals transporting such machinery to mining areas. He further suggested that the seized equipment should be destroyed on the spot to prevent their use in illegal mining activities.
“The best way to defend is to attack,” Hon. Mensah remarked. “If we ban the entry of these machines into the country, we will be attacking the root cause of illegal mining. It’s a much more effective strategy than continually deploying military personnel who can only address the symptoms, not the cause.”
In addition to calling for a ban on mining equipment imports, Hon. Mensah urged the leadership of the Small-Scale Mining Association and traditional rulers to unite in the fight against illegal mining. He appealed to them to take a more active role in identifying and destroying illegal mining equipment within their communities, as a collective effort is necessary to protect the environment.
“This fight isn’t just for the government,” he noted. “Traditional leaders and the Small-Scale Mining Association need to come together and ensure that equipment used by illegal miners is destroyed to safeguard our natural resources.”
His comments come at a time when the government has increased efforts to clamp down on Galamsey through military-led operations, which have faced mixed reactions from the public. While some believe the military’s presence deters illegal miners, others, including Hon. Mensah, argue that it has not been a sustainable solution.
“The government’s focus should be on stopping the entry of equipment that makes illegal mining possible,” Hon. Mensah concluded. “This will go a long way in preserving our water bodies and ensuring that future generations have access to clean water and a healthy environment.”
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Call to Action
Hon. Daniel Kwaku Mensah’s proposal highlights a strategic shift in the fight against illegal mining, urging the government to halt military involvement and instead focus on stopping the importation of mining equipment. He calls on all stakeholders, including local leaders, law enforcement, and traditional authorities, to join forces in protecting Ghana’s natural resources by taking a more targeted approach to ending galamsey.
For further comments or inquiries, Hon. Daniel Kwaku Mensah can be reached at 0248-732972.
