ADVERTISEMENT
Expose real people behind galamsey – ACEP demands
ACEP waded into the galamsey brouhaha following a media campaign to push government to end illegal mining following the destruction the nation’s river bodies and cocoa farms.
___6533857___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6533857___2017___4___15___14___Galamsey
Recommended articles
READ MORE: Four more Chinese illegal miners arrested
The Water Research Institute of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research has warned that in the next 10 to 20 years, Ghana may import water for domestic use. In addition, cocoa production targets are increasingly under threat because of the technology the Chinese have introduced in our mining history.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Executive Director, Mr Benjamin Boakye, ACEP said: “One major impediment to the success of these efforts has been the invisible powers behind illegal mining activities. Some of the faces that show up in the day against ‘galamsey’ are also the same ones that are, at night, behind the dredging of river bodies, the destruction of cocoa farms and the abandoned pits that serve as death traps in many mining communities.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If current efforts will be successful, responsibility must be placed right where it belongs. We cannot win the battle against ‘galamsey’ if those held accountable live in Accra and are out of touch with suffering communities.”
The statement also called on the government to support local authorities in mining areas with security reinforcement and logistics.
“These must have primary responsibilities for the sustenance of the environment and be required to give accounts of their stewardship to local communities and the Central Government. Central Government must, however, be on the beat to support local authorities with security reinforcement and logistics when needed. Civil society groups and the general public must also provide the needed oversight to keep all duty bearers in check,” ACEP said.
The statement added: “Over the past two years, ACEP has piloted a mining portal that provides real-time, GPS verifiable information on mining activities. The platform, www.ourmineralresource.org, has so far been used to gather real-time data on mining impacts in the Fanteakwa and Asutifi districts through community volunteers, using smart devices.”
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
I won’t apologize for ECG Manager's arrest – Ashanti Regional Minister
Trailblazing Prof. Jane Agyemang: The political powerhouse shaking up the NDC!
John Mahama can’t succeed me as President because I defeated him twice – Akufo-Addo
President Biden signs law to potentially ban TikTok if not sold
I won’t be a driver’s mate to John Mahama – Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyeman
‘Dumsor’ challenges will end in a few days – ECG Board Chairman assures Ghanaians
We’ll prosecute corrupt appointees under Akufo-Addo’s govt – Prof. Opoku-Agyeman
How First and Second Ladies rejected and refunded all allowances given to them since 2017
