Illegal mining remains unchecked a year after deaths of eight officials – Ashigbey

The persistence of illegal mining, or galamsey, shows that Ghana is not doing enough to honour the eight government officials who died while carrying out national duties against the practice, according to Chamber of Mines Executive Director Kenneth Ashigbey.

Speaking on TV3’s Daily Brief on 6 August, exactly a year after the deaths, Mr Ashigbey said illegal miners had become increasingly confident despite continuing efforts by the government to tackle the environmental threat.

He recognised the work being carried out by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). However, he argued that the scale and openness of illegal mining in some areas demonstrated that enforcement was still falling short.

Mr Ashigbey said the growing boldness of illegal miners could be seen in a number of communities, where operations were allegedly continuing in full view of the public.

He pointed to Apedwa, where he claimed seven excavators were operating illegally in the town. He also referred to the road between Bunso and Anyinam, saying illegal mining could be seen from the roadside along the route.

“And my pain is that after sacrificing this life, what we had heard the Minister for Foreign Affairs tell us, unfortunately, we are not seeing it. In terms of the intensity, we are not seeing.

“The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources is making a lot of effort with NAIMOS and all of that but unfortunately, the impudence, the audacity of the criminals have really gone high.

“As we speak today, in the town of Apedwa there are seven excavators in the town mining illegally. When you drive from Bunso to Anyinam, on the side of the road, you will see illegal mining going on,” he asserted.

He also raised allegations of illegal mining around Lake Bosomtwe. According to Mr Ashigbey, an individual named Charles Antwi was destroying hills in the area, despite having been publicly identified by the Ashanti Regional Minister.

Mr Ashigbey questioned why the individual had not been arrested and said a stronger response was needed to discourage others from engaging in similar activity.

The Executive Director of the Chamber of Mines nevertheless praised the government’s anti-galamsey initiatives and acknowledged the actions being taken by NAIMOS. He maintained, however, that those measures had not yet delivered the level of action required to stop illegal mining effectively.

He said the continuing operations were particularly painful because they came a year after the deaths of the eight officials who had been involved in the national effort against the practice.

“Yes, there is a lot of efforts and NAIMOS activities but what it is that we ought to do to honour the memory of these people, unfortunately that is not still happening and that is my pain. I am really saddened.”