Accra: A group of researchers from the University of Ghana has initiated an anti-galamsey project aimed at conducting studies on illegal mining and utilizing the results to educate Ghanaians about the necessity of collaboration in addressing this issue. The project emphasizes advocacy and community mobilisation as essential strategies to tackle the illegal mining problem, commonly referred to as galamsey.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project, titled 'Sharing Galamsey Research Findings and Doing Advocacy to Stop Galamsey in Ghana,' is set to be implemented over two years by the University of Ghana (UG). It plans to use various Ghanaian languages as means of communication to foster understanding and engagement. The initiative also seeks to encourage policy and regulatory reforms and present community-led policy options to the government and development partners for consideration and potential implementation.
Prof Gladys Nyarko Ansah from the Department of English and the Principal Investigator, highlighted that the project intends to complement existing efforts and regulations to combat the illegal mining menace rather than replace Ghanaian laws. "We shall be doing community mobilisation to generate community-led debate and discussions to propose more effective ways to end galamsey and promote alternative livelihoods to identify sustainable and viable alternatives to galamsey that the youth in Ghana can pursue," she emphasized.
Prof Nyarko Ansah stressed the importance of collective action from all sectors of the population through community engagement, mobilisation, advocacy, and collaboration in addressing the issue. "Fighting the illegal miners is not the most prudent decision as he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day," she noted.
Prof Frimpong Boateng, a former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, who launched the project, commended the group for employing a communication-based approach to influence society's perception, understanding, and actions regarding galamsey. He pointed out that few adhere to regulations within the small-scale mining sector, leading to environmental damage, food contamination, and pollution of the River Volta with heavy metals and poisonous chemicals.
He advised caution regarding political promises, stating, "Don't trust politicians when it comes to this business because when they are under pressure from the grassroots, they will change their policies without informing those leading the campaign against illegal mining. So be on the watch on policies, behavior, and what they say." Prof Frimpong Boateng, a former Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining, pledged his support to the researchers, offering materials such as videos and pictures to aid their efforts.
