Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on Municipal and District Assemblies in the Ahafo Region to intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
According to him, the destruction of water bodies and farmlands in the region due to illegal mining activities is becoming increasingly alarming and requires urgent intervention from local authorities.
Speaking to the media in Goaso during a Mining for Development Forum organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines for stakeholders, Dr. Ashigbey stressed that assemblies must play a more active role in addressing the menace.
“The level of destruction of water bodies and lands in the region due to illegal mining is gradually becoming alarming, therefore the assemblies must put in more efforts to curb the menace,” he said.
He explained that although galamsey is a national problem, the solutions largely depend on local action.
According to him, Municipal and District Chief Executives have a key responsibility in leading the fight against illegal mining within their jurisdictions.
“Illegal mining is a national problem but the solution is local, meaning the assemblies headed by the Municipal and District Chief Executives can easily address the menace if only they intensify efforts,” he stated.
Dr. Ashigbey further noted that the effects of illegal mining impact entire communities and therefore require collective efforts to eliminate the practice.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Asutifi North, Hafiz Dauda, said the forum had enlightened assemblies on the need to invest some of their resources into supporting local businesses and individuals.
According to him, such support would help create opportunities for residents to supply goods and services to mining companies operating in the region, including Newmont Corporation and Golden Team.
He explained that encouraging local participation in the mining supply chain would help create jobs and reduce unemployment in the region.
“If the assemblies support individuals and groups to feed these mining companies with the things they need, instead of allowing the companies to buy from outside the region, it will create jobs and reduce unemployment which remains problematic in the region,” he said.
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