Ghana Armed Forces partners with Small-Scale Miners to intensify fight against galamsey

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has announced a new partnership with small-scale miners as part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining, widely known as “galamsey.” This initiative is aimed at promoting responsible mining practices while intensifying the battle against galamsey, which has caused widespread environmental destruction across the country.

In a press release issued by the Information Ministry on Wednesday, October 9, the importance of involving small-scale miners in the fight against illegal mining was emphasized. The statement highlighted that partnering with legal miners will help identify and expose illegal operators, thus facilitating more effective enforcement of laws and regulations in the areas most affected by galamsey.

The collaboration will also include educational programs for miners, focusing on sustainable mining practices and raising awareness about the damaging effects of illegal mining on water bodies, forests, and farmlands. The belief is that working with local stakeholders will help build community trust and cooperation, which are essential for the success of anti-galamsey efforts.

This joint initiative comes at a time when the government is stepping up its commitment to eradicating illegal mining and safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Both the Ghana Armed Forces and the Small-Scale Miners Association have expressed optimism that the partnership will lead to a more coordinated and effective strategy for tackling the galamsey crisis.

This is not the first time the military has been involved in addressing illegal mining, as earlier operations did not produce the desired results. However, the renewed collaboration is expected to provide a fresh approach to the fight against this ongoing issue.

The government is facing increased pressure to resolve the galamsey problem, particularly as organized labour is set to embark on a nationwide strike on Thursday, October 10. The strike stems from the government’s failure to meet three key demands: declaring a state of emergency on water bodies and forest reserves, imposing a temporary ban on all forms of small-scale mining, and withdrawing the Legislative Instrument that allows mining in forest reserves.