Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has expressed disappointment in the Mahama administration's handling of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He stated that the government has not demonstrated the level of commitment expected to tackle the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining. Braimah's concerns were driven by disappointment rather than a feeling that the governing party had misled the public.
Braimah made these comments during a discussion on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, October 31. He noted that the government's actions so far did not reflect the urgency and seriousness needed to address the issue. The NDC had taken strong positions on the issue while in opposition, and Braimah had expected a more determined response from the government.
Braimah questioned the progress of the government's proposed cooperative mining arrangement, intended to organise and regulate small-scale miners. He said that the government needed to move beyond announcing plans and demonstrate tangible progress in implementing a system that could provide a more organised alternative to illegal mining.
Referring to mining activities along the Black Volta, Braimah said illegal mining had continued in areas where the government was expected to have taken action. He recalled that the Media Foundation for West Africa produced a documentary in 2024 highlighting illegal mining activities and the challenges facing communities in affected areas.
Braimah also referred to a government document identifying 42 communities affected by mining activities, including locations where illegal mining was reportedly taking place inside buildings and rooms. He said the scale of the problem made it necessary for the government to provide clear evidence that its proposed interventions were being implemented.
The cooperative mining initiative had established only 11 groups as of October, according to Braimah. He questioned the pace of the initiative, noting that it had been almost two years since the government announced the plan. Braimah proposed a more organised approach in which miners could be brought together into groups, properly regulated, and required to follow responsible mining practices.
Braimah cautioned that implementing such a system would not be easy, given the complexity of the galamsey crisis. He emphasised that sustained commitment and practical solutions were required to address the issue. The government needed to recognise the economic realities driving many young people into the activity and provide alternatives to those who depend on it for their livelihoods and survival.
Key points
- The NDC government's commitment to fighting galamsey has been questioned by Sulemana Braimah.
- The government's proposed cooperative mining arrangement has made limited progress.
- Braimah proposes a more organised approach to regulate and control mining activities.
