The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has called for a temporary suspension of all small-scale mining activities in Ghana as a bold step toward ending illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
In a post on Facebook, the MP said the current strategies being used to combat galamsey are unsustainable and cost-inefficient, stressing that Ghana cannot continue using the same approach and expect different results.
Mr. Osei Nyarko suggested that the government should impose a minimum six-month ban on all small-scale mining operations across the country. During that period, he proposed that a comprehensive site search and mapping exercise be conducted to properly document and monitor all mining concessions.
According to him, each mining site should be assigned a special code linked to a searchlight imaging system that provides real-time and accurate information about activities taking place at each site. This, he said, would make it easier for authorities to track illegal operations and enforce mining regulations effectively.
The MP recalled that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo successfully implemented a similar measure when he suspended small-scale mining for 20 months in an effort to sanitize the sector. However, he noted that the government at the time failed to fully capitalize on the opportunity by introducing the necessary technologies to support the cleanup.
“The first solution to deal with this situation is to suspend all small-scale mining in the country and conduct site search and mappings with a special code assigned to each site. The current approach we are using is not sustainable or cost efficient,” he wrote.
Mr. Osei Nyarko concluded that Ghana needs a technology-driven, well-coordinated mining monitoring system if the country is serious about winning the war against galamsey once and for all.
Source: metrotvonline.com
