The African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has asked government to expose the “invisible powers” behind illegal mining (galamsey) in the country, saying it is the most potent way of clamping down on the galamsey menace.

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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.

“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.

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“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.”