The Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG) has intensified its campaign against illegal mining in Ghana, urging the government to adopt more transparent and robust measures to combat the pervasive environmental destruction caused by the practice, commonly known as “galamsey.” The Coalition’s central demand is the public disclosure of individuals and entities involved in importing and financing excavators, the primary tools used in illegal mining operations. This call for transparency aims to expose the financial networks underpinning galamsey and hold those profiting from this illicit activity accountable. The Coalition argues that simply seizing excavators is insufficient and that identifying and prosecuting the individuals and organizations behind these operations is crucial to effectively curbing galamsey.
The MCAG emphasizes that the government’s recent efforts to trace the chassis numbers of seized excavators back to their financiers, while a positive step, is long overdue and must be followed by decisive action. The Coalition believes that publicly naming the key players involved in importing and financing these excavators will not only deter future involvement but also help dismantle the complex web of financial interests that perpetuate galamsey. This transparency initiative, they contend, will send a strong message that the government is serious about tackling illegal mining and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of their influence or connections.
The Coalition’s Convenor, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, highlighted the urgency of this matter in an interview with Citi News, citing a recent raid in Samreboi where over 17 excavators were seized. He questioned the delay in identifying and naming the individuals and entities responsible for importing and renting these excavators, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action. Ashigbey stressed that tracing the financial flows associated with these excavators is crucial to uncovering the root causes of galamsey and dismantling the criminal networks that profit from it. He urged the government to expedite the process of tracing the money trail to expose the individuals and organizations orchestrating these illegal operations.
The MCAG’s focus on financial transparency underscores the belief that galamsey is not merely an environmental crime but a complex economic enterprise driven by powerful vested interests. By publicly exposing the financial backers of illegal mining, the Coalition aims to disrupt the economic incentives that fuel this destructive practice. This approach recognizes that addressing the financial underpinnings of galamsey is critical to effectively combating the problem and achieving lasting solutions. The Coalition’s call for transparency aligns with broader anti-corruption efforts and aims to ensure that those who profit from environmental destruction are held accountable.
The MCAG’s insistence on public disclosure reflects a growing frustration with the perceived lack of progress in combating galamsey despite repeated government pronouncements and interventions. The Coalition argues that true progress requires a fundamental shift in approach, moving beyond superficial measures to address the underlying economic and political drivers of illegal mining. By advocating for financial transparency and public accountability, the MCAG seeks to empower citizens and civil society organizations to monitor the government’s efforts and hold those responsible for galamsey to account.
In essence, the MCAG’s call for the government to publish the names of individuals and entities financing and importing excavators used in galamsey represents a significant escalation in the fight against illegal mining in Ghana. This demand for heightened transparency signifies a strategic shift towards dismantling the financial networks that perpetuate this environmentally destructive practice. The Coalition’s emphasis on following the money trail underscores the understanding that galamsey is a complex economic enterprise, fueled by powerful interests. By publicly exposing these interests, the MCAG seeks to create a more accountable and transparent environment, ultimately aiming to curb the devastating impacts of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment and communities.
