Ghana’s anti-galamsey fight lacks political will and resources – Eco-Conscious Citizens Coordinator

The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens,, has issued a sharp criticism of Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining, accusing the government of failing to provide the resources and political commitment needed to tackle what she describes as an “existential threat.”

Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, Serwah said the state’s inability to adequately equip anti-galamsey agencies was “a shame,” warning that the problem would persist unless the financiers behind illegal mining operations are arrested.

“We need to go after the financiers of galamsey,” she said. “The community members know those involved. We need to act now and harness their support to deal with those financing it.”

Serwah said the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), launched this year as a central command hub for the clampdown, is already under-resourced and ineffective.

“NAIMOS does not even have a phone number the public can reach to provide information,” she said. “Even when communities plead with them to intervene, they are unable to do so.”

Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has said NAIMOS is meant to coordinate the work of the military, police and other agencies fighting illegal mining. But Serwah questioned whether government is serious about giving it the tools it needs.

“We are facing an existential threat due to the activities of illegal miners. It’s a shame that we don’t have adequate gear to fight this canker,” she said. “Without political will and commitment, it will be difficult.”

She also criticised what she called misplaced sympathies for illegal miners, saying environmental destruction cannot be justified as a livelihood strategy.

“We should stop making excuses for environmental terrorists,” she said.