Labour Consultant, Austin Gamey, has entreated the government to ban all forms of mining, including artisanal, community, and small-scale mining, to address the ongoing environmental crisis caused by illegal mining activities, commonly known as "galamsey."
According to Mr Gamey, the harmful impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies and ecosystem necessitates urgent action.
In an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse on Monday, October 7, he said “Galamsey in all forms, whether artisanal mining, community mining, or small-scale mining, should be banned in the meantime because we need the restoration of our water bodies and ecology.”
His call comes amid increasing concerns about the destruction of natural resources, with polluted rivers and degraded lands threatening the livelihoods of many communities.
Also, Organised Labour has urged the government to declare a state of emergency over the destruction of water bodies and forest reserves warning that if the government fails to take this action, they will proceed with a nationwide strike on October 10.
According to Mr Gamey, if indeed we are concerned about the environmental degradation effect of the galamsey menace, then, “the president by can an executive instrument make a definite pronouncement about the revocation of the L.I 2462 subject to withdrawal when Parliament resumes.”
He further criticised the president's inability to decisively address the menace after nearly eight years in office.
He added, "The only outcome will be to officially announce that galamsey be banned in the meantime."
"Our health and imminent death are staring at all of us," he stressed, highlighting the critical need for immediate action to restore the environment and safeguard public health.
Credit: Emma Ankrah