The rampant devastation of the environment caused by illegal mining poses a significant threat to our society, especially in terms of damaging water sources. Despite various efforts by the Ghanaian government, such as GalamStop, to address this escalating problem, little progress has been made. Reports indicate that many key figures in the illegal mining industry, including politicians, military personnel, and chiefs, make it nearly impossible to consistently enforce regulations.
Inspectorates in mining areas used to oversee mining operations to ensure proper methods and environmentally friendly practices were being followed. However, these inspectorates have now disbanded and no longer exist in mining communities. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the ownership of mining licenses and responsibilities towards local communities.
Government must reinstate these agencies and empower them to take actions against illegal miners.
Law courts must be enhanced to accelerate judgements with illegal mining.
Licensing should not be the preserve of friends and family of the government to the disadvantage of the indigenes of the lands where these minerals are found. The inhabitants should be given appropriate concession for all mining licenses in their locality. You cannot sit on gold for someone to come from Accra, Australia or China with a license to enrich themselves whiles you take peanuts.
The mining law should be reconsidered. Landowners should be perpetual beneficiaries of the mines. They need to be given annual percentages of the minerals in the denomination they prefer including minerals anakasa. The annual ground rent payable on mining concessions per acre of 15 Ghana cedis is rather poor and rubbish.
The president as an expert in law particularly on mining should see this as an easy legal solution even now backed by national security apparatus.
Unless, someone wants to blame me sitting my somewhere drinking non-alcoholic pitoo for my spectatorship or lack of citizenship thereof. He who is paid with the tax-payers monies, enjoys free rides, free food, free flight, free free... should not be throwing their arms in despair calling opposition leaders for a pact. Will they agree to opposition leaders asking them to stop building hospitals, constructing roads, etc. and wait till January?
Finally, #StopGalamseyNow #Freethecitizens
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