Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II says unlawful small-scale mining, often known as galamsey, has decreased since the commencement of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, but warns that the activity remains a concern that must be eliminated.
Speaking to press in Accra on Thursday, October 2, after being sworn in as a Justice of the Court of Appeal alongside 20 others, the Dormaahene stated that, while galamsey did not originate under the current government, recent measures have helped to curtail its expansion.
“I have been on this stool for almost 26 and a half years. Galamsey — the illegal mining — did not start yesterday; it’s been with us for some time. If you ask me about my assessment I will say now it is going down,” he said.
The traditional ruler attributed the progress to new enforcement methods and local initiatives, stressing that activities and actors who previously operated with impunity are no longer evident.
“You know why I am saying that? If you look at some of the steps that have been taken — before we were not hearing about the blue waterguards and all that…. Before this regime came I know for a fact because of the work that I do nine forest reserves had been taken over. Now that situation had been curbed,” he said.
Despite the progress, the Dormaahene cautioned against complacency, stressing that galamsey still exists and requires sustained action from government, the Minister for Lands, and the public.
“I wouldn’t stand here and say galamsey is gone; it is still with us but I believe that if you look at the seriousness… we should ensure that we nip this situation in the bud,” he said.
He warned that in Dormaa there will be zero tolerance for illegal miners adding that he would personally arrest offenders and hand them over to the police for prosecution.
The Chief appealed to citizens to help protect Ghana’s natural resources and livelihoods. “This is the only thing our ancestors left for us so we don’t have to destroy our water bodies, cocoa farms and ensure that we do farming in the right way so we can all be happy,” he said.
