The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed deep concern over the continued environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The Commission unequivocally condemns galamsey, citing it as a direct existential threat to the environment, public health, and the country’s prosperity.
The NCCE calls on security services, including the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces, to take immediate and decisive action against perpetrators.
“They must treat illegal mining as a serious offense that warrants urgent and robust intervention to halt its devastating effects”.
The Commission urges the security services to: Intensify patrols and surveillance in galamsey-prone areas, arrest and prosecute perpetrators and collaborate with local communities to identify and report illegal mining activities.
The NCCE also calls on political parties to demonstrate a clear commitment to fighting galamsey, articulating and spelling out their plans to address the menace without equivocation.
The Commission commends the actions of the Chiefs and youth of Akyem Asoum in the Eastern Region for chasing out people engaged in galamsey from their community and urges other communities to do the same.
The NCCE remains committed to working closely with state agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities to promote good environmental governance and ensure that every Ghanaian understands the importance of sustainable practices.
The Commission emphasizes that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, requiring each Ghanaian to play a role in winning the fight against galamsey. They must act now, decisively, and with a sense of urgency to preserve natural resources and secure a sustainable future for all Ghanaians.
