Peace Watch Ghana (PWG), a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for peace, security, and decorum in the political space, has called for the immediate prosecution of traditional leaders who permit illegal mining (known locally as galamsey) to thrive within their jurisdictions.
The organization expressed profound concern over the persistent difficulty in tackling the galamsey menace. Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, Executive Director of PWG, stated her belief that certain traditional authorities, including chiefs and their elders, are complicit in the practice.
In her view, it is imperative that such individuals be arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to a maximum of 100 years in prison.
Madam Daniels asserted this extreme measure is necessary to end the “cancer” of illegal mining that is devastating Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies, which is, in turn, creating a national health crisis.
Speaking on the Frontline program on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Madam Daniels posited that galamsey operations cannot thrive in communities without the direct involvement and implicit consent of chiefs.
She suggested that the rampant nature of illegal mining indicates that traditional leaders may have sanctioned the activities.
The peace advocate told host Kwabena Agyapong that a failure to address the galamsey crisis with the necessary seriousness would result in a significant national catastrophe.
She also asserted that the current Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, appears to be overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis.
Madam Nyonkopa Daniels also criticized the Minority in Parliament, accusing them of using the galamsey fight to gain political capital. She specifically questioned the conduct of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
”Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin now has the audacity to speak about galamsey? Why did he not speak against it when his government was in office? Why did he not call on his government to deal with it? The politicization of galamsey must end,” she stated.
Madam Nyonkopa Daniels also criticized the Minority in Parliament, accusing them of using the galamsey fight to gain political capital. She specifically questioned the conduct of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
”Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin now has the audacity to speak about galamsey? Why did he not speak against it when his government was in office? Why did he not call on his government to deal with it? The politicization of galamsey must end,” she stated.
She continued by urging the two main political parties to set aside partisan interests and join forces to combat the issue.
Madam Daniels encouraged all aspiring candidates, including those contesting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) elections, to support a national consensus, possibly led by John Dramani Mahama, to formulate a law establishing specialized galamsey courts for dedicated prosecution.
”All chiefs that have galamsey going on in their areas must be prosecuted and jailed for 100 years. Let’s try this approach and see if we cannot resolve this canker,” she said.
Ultimately, Madam Daniels challenged the youth of Ghana to reject both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP should they fail to deal ruthlessly with the galamsey crisis.
