The Defence Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle illegal mining, or galamsey, in Ghana.
Speaking during his vetting by the Appointments Committee on January 28, Dr. Boamah cautioned that relying solely on military intervention would not provide a long-term solution to the issue.
Ghana is grappling with severe environmental damage caused by illegal mining, including polluted rivers and widespread land degradation. Dr. Boamah emphasized the importance of a multi-pronged approach, including community engagement, alternative livelihood programs, and modern technology.
“The fight against galamsey should not be viewed purely through the lens of soldiers going to fight it,” Dr. Boamah said.
“We need to engage the people and inform them of the other livelihood programs and their benefits.”
By providing sustainable alternatives to illegal mining, Dr. Boamah believes the number of people involved in these activities will decrease, making it easier for law enforcement to address the issue.
“So the numbers will reduce, and those that will be left won’t overwhelm the police,” he added.
Dr. Boamah advocates for a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders to ensure long-lasting solutions to galamsey.
“We need to fight galamsey as a comprehensive thing and bring in the military in addition to modern technology to help them deal with it.”