OPERATIONS OF THE ANTI GALAMSEY TASKFORCE

Two weeks ago, the Anti-Galamsey Task Force, Operation Vanguard, embarked on its mandate to address the Galamsey menace. Apart from warding off operators of the illegal act it is was also charged to see to the reclamation of degraded lands. The task force is within three regions, Ashanti, Eastern and Western, though Galamsey is in eight regions. Prior to their deployment, the illegal miners vowed to resist them and to continue perpetuating their havoc on the environment. It is therefore not surprising that more than one hundred of them are in police custody presently.

Exploitation of gold dates back to centuries hence the country was once called Gold Coast. During those days, people could pick the mineral after heavy rains, in gullies and along river banks. This type of gold mining along water bodies known as alluvial mining was said to be environmentally friendly compared to underground mining. The alluvial process was digging and sifting through muddy sand by using shovels, sieves and in most cases bare hands were used after which everything was washed into the rivers.

This form of water pollution was worsened when excavators and the Shun fan machines were introduced. Galamsey is from the word "Gather and sell" which is now used to refer to illegal mining. The mining industries were vibrant during the pre-independence period when the mining policy was geared towards maximisation of mineral production in the interests of colonial powers. In all these, there was no law regulating small scale mining until 1989 when PNDC Law 219 was passed. This provided officials marketing channels for gold produced by small scale miners.

It is on record that there has been significant investment and improvement in the mining sector, with the contribution of gold from the small scale mining contributing more to GDP than that of the big mining companies. But this has come with a price, which if not well addressed, will cost the nation greatly. The pollution of water bodies through the use of chemicals, underground water contamination, destruction of farms and loss of biological diversity persist due to lack of enforcement of laws governing the sector. With failed attempts by previous governments to address the menace, the current government based on public outcry and a sustained media campaign has vowed to address the issue head-on. It is in view of this that a moratorium was put in place starting from 1st April 2017 to temporarily suspend artisan and small scale mining operations for six months.

In furtherance of this, the issuance of new licences to small scale mining operators is on hold. The issue now, is not about having a licence or not. For now, with the exception of big mining companies, all other mining activities per the directive should cease. This is to enable the Ministry to properly sanitize and put in place the right measures to promote sustainable mining. The removal of excavators from concessions is one of such measures.

One point that the government keeps emphasizing is that it is not against small scale mining, hence coming up with the five year programme known as the Multilateral mining Integrated Project. The project hinges on five pillars: the Review and Enforcing regulations in the sector, Reclamation of degraded lands and Silting Estuaries, Implementing Social Intervention Programmes, Adapting technology to map areas for mining and Capacity Building.

Operation Vanguard was deployed because the temporary ban is being violated. So far one will say the Taskforce is doing a yeoman’s job as reports have indicated improvement in some water bodies where the illegal mining had been practiced. One will sympathize with families that have lost dear ones to galamsey activities. It is not justifiable for one to argue that a person killed during an encounter with the taskforce had a licence and as such was not a galamseyer.

For now the order is no small scale mining. It is gratifying to hear that ‘operation vanguard’ has rescinded on burning excavators after public condemnation. Since they will be helping with reclamation those equipment will be needed and one wonders what informed their earlier decision. The death of the four illegal miners in a pit at a village near Kwabeng, in the Eastern Region and many in the past, though unfortunate should serve as a wakeup call for Ghanaians to know that this form of mining is deadly.

What people should know is that the task force is to protect all Ghanaians and all must support the campaign to end the practice. The Association of Small Scale Miners should engage its members in adhering to sustainable mining practices which they have been trained to do. The NCCE and other state institutions like the Information Services Department should let their presence be felt by educating the citizenry on the need to help fight the menace.

We should all encourage the Anti-Galamsey Taskforce and the Media Coallation Against Galamsey to continue their good works to stamp out galamsey in the country. For a stitch in time saves nine.

BY JOYCE GYEKYE , A JOURNALIST.

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