Gov’t going round in circles in the fight against galamsey – Erastus Asare Donkor

Investigative and environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor has accused the government of going round in circles in the fight against illegal mining, saying that its approach is largely similar to that of the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

He says although the current government appears more willing to listen to concerns about illegal mining, its actions do not match its public pronouncements, raising questions about its commitment to ending the menace.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, October 31, during a discussion on the Mahama administration’s fight against galamsey, Mr Asare Donkor said the government's approach suggested a lack of the urgency required to defeat illegal mining, stressing that a serious fight against the practice demanded the full commitment and resources of the state.

“You're tempted to say that we are moving around in circles. You see, if you are very interested in fighting something, you put all your arsenals into it,” he said.

Mr Asare Donkor said the government was repeating strategies that had failed in the past while failing to provide the necessary resources to those tasked with tackling the problem.

“I would say that basically we are doing the same thing, aside from the strategy that maybe NAIMOS may be adopting now, under the current leadership. That may be slightly different. But mostly, we are doing the same thing,” he said.

He said that the previous Akufo-Addo administration handled the galamsey crisis with little regard for concerns raised by stakeholders, while the current government, despite being more receptive to such concerns, was not acting in line with its promises.

“The previous administration treated this issue with kid gloves. They did not listen to anybody. The current administration, though they listen, they act differently, contrary to what they say,” he stated.

Mr Asare Donkor called on President John Dramani Mahama to make Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) more accountable for illegal mining activities within their jurisdictions.

He said that the district and municipal chief executives, who chair their respective security councils, were better placed to identify illegal mining operations in their communities because of their knowledge of the local terrain.

He said relying heavily on NAIMOS without holding local authorities responsible would undermine the fight, as illegal miners could easily return to areas after task force personnel had left.

“The DCEs, the MMDCEs, these are chairmen of districts and municipal security councils. They know every nook and cranny of the local area. If they are not being put to task to police their own areas, then we can send NAIMOS on a wild goose chase,” he said.

He warned that without sustained monitoring and accountability, the gains made during enforcement operations would quickly be lost.

“After they've left, the place will come back to zero, as we've been seeing it,” he added.

Mr Asare Donkor insisted that the President must begin holding his own appointees responsible for what happens within their respective areas of authority.

“Until the President starts holding his own appointees to account, hold them responsible for their own jurisdictions. If we don't do that, then we are fighting a wild goose chase, and it will come to nothing,” he said.