Built environment professionals demand decisive action against galamsey
Professional bodies in the built environment have waded into the illegal mining (galamsey) issue with a call on the government to take decisive steps to halt the practice since it is devastating the environment and threatening the nation’s future and existence.
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They said LI 2462, which allows prospecting and mining in forest reserves, should be reviewed and the provisions that allowed mineral exploration in forest reserves and other ecologically sensitive areas must be repealed by Parliament.
The five professional bodies that made the call in a statement are the Ghana Institute of Architects, Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ghana Institution of Surveyors, the Ghana Institute of Planners and the Institute of Engineering Technology -Ghana.
The statement was signed by the President of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Foster Osae-Akonnor; the President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Kwabena Bempong; the President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Dr Anthony Arko Adjei; the President of the Ghana Institute of Planning, Percy Bukari, and the President of the Institute of Engineering Technology-Ghana, Henry Kwadwo Boateng.
Collaboration
It said it was crucial for all stakeholders— the government, civil society, traditional authorities and private sector entities—to collaborate in combating the galamsey crisis and that success would require a unified approach free from discrimination and ensuring that all perpetrators, regardless of their status or affiliation, were held accountable.
“Without decisive action, the future of Ghana remains at risk. We the Built Environment Professional bodies are committed to working collaboratively with Ghanaians, other professionals, and all relevant stakeholders to take all the necessary legal steps to ensure that the government and all players are mobilised to combat and ultimately stop illegal mining.
“Together, we can safeguard Ghana’s natural resources, protect our environment and secure a sustainable future for all,” it said.
Authorities
The professional bodies additionally said awareness should be created among local communities about the dangers of galamsey and involve them in the conservation and sustainable practices, urging the Information Service Department (ISD) and the National Commission on Civil Education (NCCE), to champion the engagement and education in collaboration with the private sector.
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Also, they proposed for the government to launch a comprehensive reafforestation and land rehabilitation projects to restore ecosystems damaged by illegal mining, especially in forest reserves, stressing that “This should be done in wider consultation with the professional bodies. We do not need any World Bank-prescribed solution”.
“The government should provide economic support and alternatives to communities affected by galamsey to reduce their reliance on illegal mining as a short-term strategy. This must be thought through carefully. We understand that the comparative advantage of these communities to be tapped to boost the economy but it must be done sustainably,” it said.