Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minority Chief Whip, has called on the government to tackle illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) with the same urgency as drug trafficking and murder.
Agbodza believes this approach is necessary to achieve meaningful results in the fight against galamsey, which he describes as “devastating”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has expressed reservations about declaring a state of emergency over galamsey.
Jinapor considers this measure “far-reaching” and “draconian”, preferring a more collaborative approach.
Governance Expert, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has also weighed in on the issue, calling for a state of emergency in areas heavily impacted by galamsey.
Professor Agyeman-Duah argues that galamsey poses an existential threat to the nation due to its environmental impact.
Joint health sector unions have also called for an immediate ban on all small-scale mining activities, citing the detrimental impact on water bodies.
The unions are demanding swift government action to protect the nation’s water resources and strengthen regulatory enforcement.
The government is under pressure to take decisive action against galamsey, with many calling for a more robust approach to address this critical issue.
