Peace Watch Ghana (PWG), a non-governmental organization advocating for peace, security, and decorum in Ghana’s political space, has called for the immediate prosecution of traditional leaders who allow illegal mining (commonly known as galamsey) to persist within their jurisdictions.
The organization expressed deep concern over the country’s continued struggle to tackle the galamsey menace. According to Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, Executive Director of PWG, some traditional authorities including chiefs and their elders are complicit in the practice.
She asserted that such individuals should be arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to a maximum of 100 years in prison, arguing that this extreme measure is necessary to eradicate the “cancer” of illegal mining, which is destroying Ghana’s forests and water bodies and creating a national health crisis.
Speaking on the Frontline programme on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Madam Daniels stated that galamsey operations cannot thrive in any community without the direct involvement or tacit consent of chiefs. She suggested that the widespread nature of the activity implies some level of approval from traditional authorities.
The peace advocate warned that failure to confront the galamsey crisis with the seriousness it deserves could lead to a national catastrophe. She also expressed concern that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, appears to be overwhelmed by the scale of the problem.
Madam Daniels further criticized the Minority in Parliament, accusing its members of politicizing the galamsey fight for political gain. She questioned the moral authority of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to comment on the issue.
“Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin now has the audacity to speak about galamsey? Why did he not speak against it when his government was in office? Why did he not call on his government to deal with it? The politicisation of galamsey must end,” she said.
She urged both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to set aside partisan interests and work together to confront the crisis.
Madam Daniels also called on all political aspirants, including those contesting in the upcoming NPP elections, to support a national consensus, possibly led by former President John Dramani Mahama, to establish specialized galamsey courts dedicated to the swift prosecution of offenders.
“All chiefs who have galamsey activities ongoing in their areas must be prosecuted and jailed for 100 years. Let us try this approach and see if we cannot resolve this canker,” she emphasised.
In conclusion, Madam Daniels challenged the youth of Ghana to reject both major political parties, the NDC and the NPP if they fail to deal decisively with the galamsey crisis, insisting that the nation’s future depends on urgent, collective action.
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