Ghana High Court: No Strong Leadership for Galamsey Fight

• Ghana has lost momentum in tackling illegal mining, aka galamsey, since the August 6 helicopter crash.
• Environmental damage caused by illegal mining continues to escalate, with destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands becoming a major concern.
• A-Rocha Ghana warns that the situation is now at a point of hopelessness, with no signs of improvement in environmental damage.

The way we said, and from being on the ground just last week and seeing what is happening, I had no choice but to say we are at a point of hopelessness.

The galamsey fight in Ghana has hit a roadblock, with environmental advocacy group A-Rocha Ghana sounding the alarm on the country's failure to maintain momentum in tackling illegal mining. The group's Deputy National Director, Daryl Bosu, attributes this lack of progress to the loss of leadership and urgency in addressing the issue. According to Mr. Bosu, the initial public resolve following the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two ministers, was short-lived. The tragedy had sparked a rare sense of urgency around the galamsey fight, but it soon fizzled out, allowing the situation to deteriorate further.

The consequences of this inaction are stark, with environmental damage caused by illegal mining continuing to escalate. The destruction of water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands has become a major concern, with A-Rocha Ghana warning that the situation is now at a point of hopelessness. Mr. Bosu's recent assessment of illegal mining activities on the ground had deepened his concerns, and he is emphatic in stating that Ghana is worse off a year after the helicopter crash. The group's data shows that the environmental damage has worsened significantly since the tragedy, with no signs of improvement.

The root cause of this problem lies in the lack of leadership and urgency in addressing illegal mining. A-Rocha Ghana had expected the authorities to maintain the gains made after the tragedy and reduce the risks associated with galamsey. However, the situation has only deteriorated further, with the group's efforts to sustain momentum being met with resistance. Mr. Bosu's comments come as a stark reminder of the need for strong leadership and effective policies to tackle the issue of illegal mining in Ghana.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware that the lack of leadership and urgency in addressing illegal mining in Ghana may lead to increased environmental damage, which could result in liability for companies operating in the country.

Source: Original reporting via Myjoyonline.com