Galamsey: Awula Serwah calls for urgent action to avert ecological catastrophe

The Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called on Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi to retract his remarks on mining regularisation.

She has called on President John Dramani Mahama to reaffirm the government’s opposition to illegal mining.

This follows remarks by Sammy Gyamfi on formalising unlicensed artisanal and small-scale miners.

In the comment which has attracted backlash, he noted that unlicensed operators outside forest reserves, water bodies and other prohibited areas, will not be deem illegal but will be brought into a regulated system.

Reacting to this on Accra-based Channel One TV's The Point of View show on Monday, October 26, Awula Serwah cautioned that Ghana risks an ecological catastrophe if authorities failed to tackle destructive mining activities and enforce existing regulations.

“We’re on the verge of an ecological catastrophe, and Ghanaians don’t seem to appreciate the seriousness of the situation,” she said.

She described Sammy Gyamfi’s remarks as irresponsible, arguing that the country’s environmental crisis required a clear and unequivocal commitment from the government to combat illegal mining.

The environmental advocate said mining is not the only source of livelihood for Ghanaians, noting that peasant farmers were losing their livelihoods while pollution and environmental destruction threatened communities.

She also urged the government to revisit proposals previously outlined to tackle galamsey and ensure that mining operations were properly monitored.

According to her, obtaining a mining licence does not automatically guarantee responsible operations, stressing that enforcement and compliance with environmental laws are essential to protecting the country’s natural resources.

“Having a licence doesn't even mean that because you have a licence you are going to mine responsibly,” she said.