Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has warned that the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, will remain an uphill battle as long as individuals within the system continue to defy the law and frustrate genuine efforts to address the menace.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, June 20, Mr. Kpebu stated that there will always be deviant actors in society who sabotage attempts to end galamsey operations.
“What I will say is, it is sad, but it is a reflection of society—that generally, you will not find everybody conforming. No, you will find people who will always want to be deviants; it is the nature of things,” he said.
The discussion followed revelations by JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor, who reported ongoing illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region despite numerous government interventions.
His investigations highlighted the complicity of some public officials and local actors in perpetuating the practice.
Mr. Kpebu stressed that without confronting the entrenched interests and rogue elements embedded in enforcement agencies and local governance structures, the battle against galamsey will continue to face major setbacks.
“What we should be pushing for is further investigation and prosecution. That is what we have to do because, as for people doing what they are doing, it is expected that in human nature, you will always find deviants,” he said.
He emphasized the need for stronger policies and called for robust accountability mechanisms to identify and remove saboteurs from within the system.
“Let us put all the energies we can into advocating for further investigation and prosecution.”
The continued degradation of forest reserves and water bodies due to illegal mining has reignited public debate, with many calling for a more resolute, systemic, and corruption-free approach to ending the practice once and for all.
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