Government’s fight against galamsey not well thought through – Mornah

The Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah has lashed out at government’s approach at ending illegal mining, known as galamsey, in the country.

Being spearheaded by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Peter Amewu, there has been a concerted nationwide effort which is making inroads in stopping the galamsey menace.

Though many have given the government thumbs up and proffered support, Bernard Mornah is least enthused about the exercise.

He told Stephen Anti on TV3’s News@10 on Thursday that his assessment of the exercise so far has proven that it was “not well thought through”.

He explained that instead of the government zeroing down on persons who are actually engaged in illegal mining, the Natural Resources Ministry has just lumped everybody together causing discomfort to many.

He cited for instance that a company the sector minister ordered for its closure had all licences required and issued by institutions under his ministry.

Bernard Mornah indicated that the government needs to have a deeper reflection on why galamsey was not such a menace until less than a decade now. Crusaders against galamsey activities are alarmed by the destruction to the country’s vegetation and degradation of the environment.

They are even more incensed by how water bodies have been destroyed by actions of illegal miners.

According to the PNC chairman, galamsey though had been with us for about 40 years now, it menace should be attributed to the advent of Chinese illegal miners, who are mining indiscriminately without being checked by state agencies.

Now due to the Chinese illegal miners and few Ghanaians who have joined the acts of destroying the environment, locals who were using “hammer and chisel to get gold out of rock” are being chased out.

He asked the government to reassess its approach because, he believes, Mr. Peter Amewu is “overreacting”.