Destruction of forest reserves and water bodies: When will Ghana win the illegal mining battle?
Despite strong assurances from successive administrations to fight the disturbing illegal mining menace in Ghana, there have not been any major improvements. While the existential threat that this challenge poses is still glaring, it appears to many as though it is more of a political issue than the life-threatening one that it is. Hiding behind the mantra of “if you stop us from engaging in the act, we will vote against your party,” ahead of the December 7, 2024, general election, political parties have not outlined strong policies to combat this. For fear of losing significant votes in many areas, the government has also failed to take drastic action against perpetrators. With this being the trend over the years, how will this fight be won?
The repercussions of the illegal mining menace keep getting worse. Aside from pits caving in resulting in the deaths of many illegal miners, the effect on the environment is dire. Forest reserves are being destroyed, major water bodies wrecked, vast farmlands are being taken over and hectares of mined-out sites have turned into deathtrap pits and become virtually useless as they cannot be used for any other purpose. Medical professionals have also raised serious concerns about the negative impact of this pressing concern.
Prof. Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, a pathologist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has revealed that babies in mining areas are born with deformities – a resultant effect of illegal mining. Doctors have also said that their research has shown that there has been a sharp rise in kidney cases as a result of the impact of illegal mining activities. On the part of the Ghana Water Company Limited, water treatment has been extremely difficult for them since most of the water at their treatment plants has been polluted following the worsening impact of illegal mining activities. The Ghana Water Company Limited has even had to engage in water rationing because of the shortage arising as a result of the destruction of water bodies.
Many farmers in areas such as Manso Datano, Kunsu and Mankraso have complained about the forceful takeover of their farmlands by illegal miners who are usually armed. The disadvantages of illegal mining are ‘uncountable’. So, why are authorities refusing to make concrete decisions to provide a lasting solution? Is it all about votes in the next election?
In a subtle way of appearing to address this, politicians usually give promises of finding a better way of making inhabitants in mining areas mine responsibly without any form of destruction. This is usually to give the impression as though there are intentions to address this and also to make sure that the illegal miners do not feel threatened to prevent the case where they will vow to vote against the government. Why not take drastic action since even small-scale miners with licenses are at times caught engaging in the destruction of water bodies and forest reserves?
In recent times, a form of a real fight against the illegal mining issue happened during the first term of the Akufo-Addo administration. Military men and journalists were deployed to various mining areas to expose such acts. Many locals and foreigners especially Chinese nationals were apprehended and prosecuted. As a journalist who has for years covered stories on illegal mining, I joined the military on many occasions where excavators and various mining equipment were burnt on sites and many of the culprits were arrested. Other mining equipment was seized. For some time, there was a massive improvement. Water bodies regained their natural ecology. Those engaging in irresponsible mining practices were not allowed to do so. With some people from the government’s party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stating that they lost some votes in mining areas in the 2020 elections as a result of the government’s actions, the government relaxed their policies. The situation has now gotten worse.
Another factor that appears to have emboldened illegal miners to engage in the act is the phenomenon where the high-profile persons behind the act are not arrested and only their laborers are usually targeted and an impression is given that authorities are tackling the issue whereas the bigwigs remain untouchable. Also, other excavators that were seized in some areas were allegedly released to the illegal miners, an act that significantly weakened the illegal mining fight.
It remains to be seen if the next president after the December 7 polls would be bold enough to take stringent measures to address the issue. With leading presidential candidates noting that they will come up with strategies to make locals in mining areas mine responsibly, how to make it effective is a major concern that many people raise. The Akufo-Addo government’s introduction of the community mining scheme did not prove to be the game-changer as it was touted. In some areas, it was even a source of controversy as some inhabitants blamed it for the worsening state of illegal mining in their areas.
It is obvious that if there isn’t a lasting solution to the menace, the consequences for the population will only get worse. Protests from a section of the Ghanaian populace could not get the president to take serious action on the issue, so what can?
The recent history concerning the promises by the government to address this situation is not encouraging as it does not offer hope. However, it is clear that an action has to be taken and it has to be very fast.
Ghana being blessed with gold should not be a curse but a blessing. It is only how the government and its people make concerted efforts to address it that is the way forward. Posterity will not be kind to us if concrete actions are not taken and the state of affairs keeps getting murkier.
By: Edward Oppong Marfo
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