Galamsey: Old Vandals’ Association demands urgent government action

The Old Vandals’ Association in North America (OVANA) has asked the government to take a decisive action on the illegal mining (galamsey) crisis or face mass demonstrations across the country.

In a communiqué dated October 7, 2024, the association, made up of alumni from Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana warned that if the government fails to address the devastating effects of illegal mining, they will mobilise students from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions for a nationwide protest.

Attached below is a copy of the full statement

COMMUNIQUÉ FROM THE OLD VANDALS' ASSOCIATION, NORTH AMERICA (OVANA) ON THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF GALAMSEY AND URGENT CALL FOR ACTION

The Old Vandals' Association, North America (OVANA), comprising alumni of Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana, has observed with deep concern and anguish the alarming devastation caused by illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey, across our nation. The severe impact of Galamsey on our environment, agriculture, health, and livelihoods is undeniable and demands immediate, decisive action. Our rivers are polluted, farmlands destroyed, and communities left vulnerable to long-term health hazards.

We, the members of OVANA, fully support the stance taken by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and other progressive organizations that have voiced their concerns on this pressing issue. As citizens committed to the protection of our environment and the welfare of future generations, we can no longer remain silent while our natural resources and ecosystems are destroyed by a few for personal gain.

Considering the ongoing destruction caused by Galamsey and the failure of successive interventions to curtail the menace, we are calling for the following immediate and specific actions from the government and political leaders:

1. Declare a State of Emergency on Galamsey
   The scale of destruction requires that the government declares an immediate state of emergency to tackle the Galamsey crisis, signaling the urgency and commitment to ending this scourge.

2. Ban All Galamsey
   Activities Until a Robust Regulatory Mechanism is EstablishedThere must be a total ban on all illegal and small-scale mining activities until a stringent and transparent regulatory framework is developed to safeguard our environment and natural resources.

3. Repeal Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462
   We demand the immediate repeal of LI 2462, which opened the door for mining in the forest reserves. This legislation has undermined environmental protection and must be revoked to prevent further exploitation of our forests.

4. Review All Mining Laws
   The government must urgently review all existing mining laws to ensure they comply with global environmental safeguard standards. These laws must prioritize the protection of our environment and the sustainable use of natural resources.

5. Release All Demonstrators and Protect the Right to Protest
   We call for the immediate release of all individuals arrested for demonstrating against Galamsey. Furthermore, we demand that no citizen is harassed or detained for standing up to protect the environment. Peaceful protests are a constitutional right, and those who advocate for the well-being of our country must be protected.

6. Presidential Aspirants Must Commit to Action
   As we approach the next general elections, all presidential aspirants must make a public and unequivocal commitment to implement the above measures. The future of our nation depends on strong leadership that will decisively combat Galamsey.

Timeline for Action

OVANA is giving the government, Parliament, and all political leaders two weeks to respond to these demands and take concrete action to address the Galamsey crisis. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to mobilize students from all levels of education-primary, secondary, and tertiary-to stage a massive nationwide demonstration. The future of our country and the well-being of our citizens cannot wait.

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Conclusion

The time to act is now. Galamsey is not just an environmental issue-it is a threat to our very survival as a nation. We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians, civil society organizations, and the international community to join us in this fight to protect our land, water, and future generations. We must ensure that Ghana's resources benefit all its citizens, not just a few.