By Nelson Ayivor
Erastus Asare Donkor, a renowned investigative and environmental journalist is urging President Mahama to start holding Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) accountable for the rampant illegal mining activities ravaging the country.
Erastus’ remarks, delivered during the 20th ‘Kronti Ne Akwamu’ lecture organized by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), expose the deep-rooted political interference that is undermining the fight against galamsey in the country.
“This is why I say respectfully that the president must begin holding MMDCEs accountable for Galamsey in their jurisdictions. If a district’s rivers are polluted and these lands destroyed, the MMDCE must explain why, because he is head of DISEC, he is head of MUSEC. That’s the District Security Council. Accountability must not end with the illegal miner.”
“The problem is not the miner in the pit, it is the leader looking away,” Donkor asserted, highlighting the complicity of local political authorities in enabling and even profiting from the illegal mining activities.
According to Erastus, his investigation uncovered a troubling trend, where local assemblies are issuing business operating licenses to mining companies under the guise of “prospecting,” without proper oversight or coordination with the Minerals Commission.
“The question is, do local assemblies have the power to issue prospecting licenses without records to the Minerals Commission? Can miners operate with business operating licenses?” Donkor questioned, exposing the blatant disregard for Ghana’s mining regulations.
Galamsey and Political Interference:
The impact of illegal mining on the country’s environment and natural resources is dotted across the country, with polluted rivers, destroyed farmlands, and a devastating toll on the its ecosystems.
However, Erastus’s investigations reveal that the problem extends far beyond the individual miners on the ground.
He further disclosed that his findings indicate that some Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs) are actively facilitating and even profiting from galamsey activities in their jurisdictions.
He cited one instance where the MCE for Brim Central, Solomon Brako kusi, was accused of extorting money from illegal miners, claiming the funds were “fines” for their activities.
“These transactions smack of double standards. Not only are they shady and phony, but impede honesty in the fight against illegal mining,” Donkor stated, underscoring the urgent need for accountability at the local government level.
Technological Solutions and the Role of the Minerals Commission:
Erastus’s proposed solutions to the galamsey crisis go beyond just holding local authorities responsible. He also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to combat the illegal mining scourge.
He emphasized on the excavator tracking system introduced in the previous administration, which remains underutilized.
According to him, “Every excavator must be registered and tracked. And this is not rocket science.”
Erastus further urged the Minerals Commission to operationalize the system to ensure that all heavy equipment is accounted for before it enters mining areas.
Erastus believes this technology “can track excavators in real time on a screen, wherever they may be. You can even stop them with what they call geo-fencing.”
His comprehensive approach to tackling the galamsey problem underscores the need for a multi-pronged strategy that combines political accountability, technological innovation, and a renewed commitment to upholding Ghana’s mining regulations.
While the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of illegal mining, the President’s willingness to hold local government leaders accountable will be a critical factor in determining the success of the country’s anti-galamsey efforts.
Erastus Asare Donkor’s impassioned call for action serves as a powerful reminder that the path to lasting solutions lies in addressing the root causes of this crisis, starting with the political establishment.