An urgent open letter to President Mahama on high-tech galamsey in Ghana

Dear President Mahama,

Let me begin by extending my warmest greetings to you at Jubilee House.

Your return to the Presidency has been a beacon of hope for Ghana, offering a renewed opportunity to address the nation’s pressing challenges, particularly the dual crises of economic mismanagement and the devastating impact of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey, which I have previously described in my media publications as "Ghana's Dual Crisis."

Mr. President, I must emphasize that your legacy will be incomplete if it does not include a decisive and lasting solution to the scourge of High-Tech Galamsey (HTG). This HTG phenomenon is wreaking havoc on our forests, rivers, farmlands, biodiversity, and natural habitats. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated.

I am confident that your administration has the potential to leave a lasting legacy in the fight against HTG. This confidence is bolstered by the caliber of experienced ministers at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, as well as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the competent institutional heads who are well-equipped to support you in this critical endeavor.

Furthermore, the overwhelming goodwill of Ghanaians, who are eager to see this menace eradicated, presents a unique opportunity for your administration to demonstrate unwavering political will and a sense of urgency in tackling this issue.

Before the December 7, 2024 elections, I expressed my firm belief that you would take decisive action to halt this unsustainable land use practice. I even staked my confidence in you and the NDC in a published article (see: my publication https://www.modernghana.com/news/1325839/i-can-bet-my-last-penny-on-mahama-to-contain-the.html, July 9, 2024). It is heartening to see that this belief of mine has been validated by your initial actions.

Mr. President, while your prompt efforts to form your 'Plasma' team, revoke about 55 new mining licenses, and ban the Community Mining Scheme through your Minister and the Joint Security Task Force are commendable, there are still two crucial steps that need to be taken to ensure the complete eradication of HTG and to find lasting solutions:

1. Declare a State of Emergency on HTG Activities in Mining Areas: This will enable your administration to mobilize state resources effectively to combat and fully assess the extent of the galamsey crisis that has accumulated over the past eight years.

2. Convene a National Dialogue on Galamsey (NDG): Just as you have done for education and the economy, it is imperative to bring together various stakeholders in the mining sector and the nation at large to brainstorm and develop comprehensive strategies to address the HTG phenomenon.

Mr. President, if you take these crucial steps at the outset of your administration, you will undoubtedly leave behind a legacy of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Previous administrations, including that of former President Akufo-Addo, deployed military interventions and established an inter-ministerial committee, etc. Still, these efforts ultimately fell short due to a lack of a systematic approach and sustained commitment.

Kudos to you, Mr. President, for the positive signals given to Ghanaians so far. I remain highly optimistic that your regime will comprehensively address the ongoing HTG menace and achieve significant progress before the end of your four-year term.

I hope my urgent open letter finds you well.

Yours in comradeship,

Dr. rer. nat. John-Baptist Naah