Nyeya Yen, Chair of Savanna Research and a leading member of the Social Justice Movement and Progressive Alliance for Ghana, has reiterated that the root cause of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, is tied to high levels of unemployment across the country.
This situation pushes many individuals to engage in mining activities despite the environmental and societal harms it causes.
Speaking on A1 Radio, he praised the recent arrests of over 70 individuals in the Tilli Forest, highlighting the importance of enforcement in curbing illegal mining. However, he stressed that the issue is not just one of individual behavior but a policy challenge that requires systemic intervention. “The root cause is simple—there is a very high level of unemployment in the country,” he stated.
The current government, he emphasized, has a responsibility to create alternative employment opportunities that can steer people away from illegal mining and toward more sustainable livelihoods. “The government, particularly the NDC government that has come into power, has to look at how to create employment and take people out of mining. Even if we have to mine, it is extremely important to understand that mining is destructive, and if not handled properly, it can lead to severe environmental disasters.”
According to Mr. Yen, while mining is an important sector, it is inherently harmful to the environment. He pointed out that areas such as Talensi and Nabdam are witnessing fatalities linked to mining activities, underscoring the urgent need for regulation and better management of the industry. He proposed a range of solutions, including privatizing mining operations—where the state provides equipment and employment—and establishing cooperative mining models that involve communities in a regulated, sustainable manner.
“So, what the government can do is organize the state, take over mining areas, purchase equipment, and employ people,” he suggested. “There can also be cooperative mining, where community members come together, receive resources under a 50/50 partnership, and mine in a way that is regulated.”
The mining expert argued that the focus should be on leveraging the country’s extractive sector for national development, ensuring that it contributes to economic growth without compromising the environment or public health. He also advocated for stronger regional security measures to prevent illegal mining and mitigate its impact on farmlands and food security.
“The whole idea is that the state should actively intervene and find ways to use our extractive sector to develop this country,” he stated. “We need to work closely with our regional security systems to enforce laws and ensure that illegal mining is eradicated.”
Additionally, Mr. Yen urged the region to push for the revitalization of local industries, such as the tomato factory, as well as the rejuvenation of dams like the Vea Dam, which could encourage more people to engage in farming. Engaging young people in these sustainable activities, he said, could provide a long-term solution to the challenges posed by illegal mining.
“Our region needs to advocate and campaign for the reopening of factories like the tomato factory, which can create employment,” he said. “We should also push for the rejuvenation of our dams to promote agriculture and provide sustainable livelihoods.”
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
