Sustaining the fight against galamsey - The role of the media

This was the opening remarks by the Okyenhene,
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, at the 22nd GJA awards
on December 20, 2017

The success of every democracy depends on the quality of its media. Our democracy cannot be imagined without the critical input of our journalists. Over the last few decades, we have observed with pride and glee the growth and consolidation of our democracy marked by increasing citizenry participation and a guarantee that elected representatives reflect the preferences of our citizens. The people of Ghana are in your debt.

Permit me to touch briefly on the important theme for this occasion, “Safe Mining and Environmental Protection, the Role of the Media”.

Today is the day that members who speak truth to power those who write factual stories based on facts and reliable sources, the ones whose work and personality are all wrapped up in integrity and those who bring passion to meet effort every day will be called to receive their awards.

I feel compelled to make this statement. Especially on this platform and on this day in front of all your members. That you may not like me or not like what I do; that's okay because that is all part of the human experience.

Luckily for us, we have seen a commitment by the President of this country to ensure that there is a paradigm shift from our dependency status. It is the surest way to protect our natural resources and environment.

In his inaugural address, President Akufo-Addo assured us of his commitment to this cause when he admonished us to recognise the danger we face by the alarming degradation of our environment. Expressing further commitment, the President, in the April 3, 2017 issue of the Daily Graphic, described illegal mining as a complex phenomenon with widespread interests and forces which requires a comprehensive policy and legislation to deal with. On hearing this, I became convinced that something new would happen.

Thankfully, the President and the government have inspired confidence in our regulatory institutions, leading to the successes we have recently chalked up in our fight against ‘galamsey’.

Yet again, the robust Ghanaian media has not been left out in this struggle to protect our environment. I wish to commend the Media Coalition Against Galamsey which played an advocacy role by creating awareness through public education campaigns about the destructive effects of illegal mining.

I also wish to commend the progressive response of the Ghanaian judiciary. Our immediate past Chief Justice designated 14 specialised courts across the country to deal with galamsey-related offences.

In our country, knowledge of environmental protection laws and safety is rudimentary.

The public will need to be educated by the media.

Again, we are particularly vulnerable to health and environmental damage from mining activities.

Toxic by-products of mining poison rivers that local folks drink from, and the mining operations themselves destroy forests and fields that provide sustenance.

We lack the regulatory mechanism needed to evaluate risks thoroughly or to ensure that chemicals are used according to instructions.

Mining today has become the most expedient of government easing itself of the recurring pressure of addressing balance of payment deficits to ensure rapid flow of foreign direct investment and more importantly to generate revenue to meet external debt payment obligations.

Sustainable development

Today in the world, the most popular phrase is ‘Sustainable Development’. What is it?

It is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generation’s ability to meet their own needs.

It is desperately troubling that the legacy we shall bequeath our children is sadly diminished. It's a betrayal of future generations’ world.

Now this has been going on for years; Rio in 1992, Johannesburg in 2002 and now Paris. To achieve the goals, we need space and resources and skilful management.

It has not worked because we need to change our approach.

Ownership and control of whatever project must be placed in the hands of the citizenry. We have to own it. Concessions must be owned by indigenous folks.

Mining threatens the health of Ghana’s forests, mountains, waters and other sensitive ecosystems.

This situation has put extreme pressure on the government and has decisively influenced the tailoring of public policy and statutory framework on mining and natural resource management. Hence, the need to create an integrated economic model based on sustainable exploitation of our natural resources has been ignored.

The resultant effect has been the reckless exploitation of our natural resources and the rise in illegal mining (galamsey). Such a situation without well-established control and management of natural resources exposes any country to enormous adversity.

Illegal mining has been the greatest challenge of the last seven years of my 18 years rule as Okyenhene. All manner of accusations have been levelled against chiefs who have no public authority, no coercive force or sanctions, thus perpetuating an irresponsible understanding of this crisis which has everything to do with the ineffectiveness of public institutions and regulatory authorities.

The problem with this attitude is that it has the potential to undermine any genuine effort in addressing the galamsey menace.

Chinese miners and foreign small-scale gold producers are issued with stay permits by state agencies who fail to enforce their terms of stay and engagement. They go ahead in active business, own properties and engage in small-scale mining activities as these agencies look on.

The Minerals Commission issues exploration licences to small-scale miners, but they violate the rules and go into active mining and they fail to sanction and enforce the rules.
Our banks are also guilty of sanctioning illicit financial outflows, mainly proceeds from illegal mining activities. I wish to indicate strongly and passionately that galamsey is the effect of an ineffective public sector with the capacity of control, evaluation and monitoring.

It is regrettable that in spite of these efforts, there are still pockets of recalcitrant youth who continue to engage in the menace of illegal mining. I call on the media to support the government to stamp out this menace completely.

I cannot fail to express my worry about the decision of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to lift the ban on small-scale mining activities in January next year. I wish to indicate that there are hardly any differences either organisationally or technologically between legal small-scale mining and galamsey. The only difference is that legal small-scale miners have guaranteed land tenure. Legal small-scale mining is the main vehicle for galamsey activities. My candid advice is that until the necessary guarantees and assurances are given, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources must reconsider its decision to lift the ban on small-scale mining.