Participants at a workshop organised by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Centre (KAIPTC) have identified illegal mining as the greatest emerging threat to human and national security.
The illegal mining trade, the participants revealed played host to smuggling, human trafficking, violent extremism, community vulnerability, drugs, community instability, human capital defects, pollution, lost of farmlands and the infamous environmental degradation.
They argued that like the “Black Diamond ” and “Hotel Rwanda” movie, Ghana’s future seemed bleak.
These and other strong sentiments were intimated by participants drawn from the security agencies, education, traditional authorities, media, and other state institutions to validate and dialogue on Safety and security Ecosystem of illegal mining in Ghana sponsored by the Spanish Embassy in Ghana.
Mr. Ernest Ansah Lartey, a Senior Researcher at the KAIPTC who presented a two-week research findings on illegal mining for validation said aside human security crises, the sector presented huge public health consequences.
“One, that is evolving into a Safety and security ecosystem”.
He noted that the sector had become an organised and mechanised network of individuals perpetuating the crime.
The political economy of the galamsey and its governing architecture:
Financiers, heavy machinery and patronage within the Political system must rather be the targets rather than the “boys and girls” in the trade who were only doing their masters bidden.
The Ankobra, Bonsa and Pra Rivers heavily bore the brunt of these nefarious and unregulated activities while, the road sides were not spared of the remnant of dug holes after the search of gold.
Activities of Nigerians in the supply chain continued to fuel the illegal mining business; selling and repairing of parts for these social deviants.
A site with over 120 points,could house 1,217 persons on a normal day, entrenching livelihoods and survival.
The Research revealed that the burden of galamsey was huge needing a collective approach; landowners, financiers and chiefs who basically allowed the love of money to override the future of their communities.
Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister said the illegal mining fight called for discussions on strong alternatives rather than the basic livelihoods skills: “how can you easily convince someone who gets 1500 cedis a day to stop the trade on a silver platter, there should be real social interventions and sustainable approaches.
“also believe that we should begin taking lands from any chief who oversees galamsey in his or her community aside other harsh punishment…there should be the need for outright forfeitment.
He confirmed that the illegal mining trade had ravaged 11 of the 14 districts in the Western Region alone…we are hoping to create three Bases in Ellembelle, Amenfi East and Ahanta West to allow NAIMOS to effectively carry out monitoring to avoid occasional presence.
One area, the Minister proposed was the deployment of technology to scan actual zones where these illegal miners were predominant.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
