Key Points
- Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey alleges that NDC criminals are now involved in illegal mining, taking over from NPP criminals.
- The illegal mining issue is compounded by the involvement of Chinese nationals and armed mercenaries.
- Despite efforts by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, politically-exposed individuals continue to hinder progress.
Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has accused politically-exposed individuals of being the primary obstacle in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.”
In an interview with JoyNews, Ashigbey revealed a transition between political parties in the illegal mining sector, with criminal elements from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) now collaborating with those in the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Political transition fueling illegal mining
Ashigbey stated that there has been a shift in illegal mining operations, where NPP-affiliated criminals are now working alongside NDC criminals, continuing to harm the nation’s environment.
He described a scenario where former NPP criminals provided resources such as equipment and manpower to their NDC counterparts, effectively allowing the operations to flourish despite the change in political power.
“This criminal transition that we saw in 2016 and 2017 has happened again,” he said, pointing out that even though the NDC is now in power, the same illegal activities persist.
While acknowledging the efforts of Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Ashigbey emphasized that politically-exposed individuals from both major parties are undermining the fight against illegal mining.
He revealed that these influential figures are working from within, making it difficult for the minister to make progress in curbing the menace.
National security concerns and foreign involvement
Ashigbey also expressed concerns about the involvement of Chinese nationals in the galamsey industry. He warned that the illegal mining operations have become increasingly violent, with armed mercenaries being recruited by the galamseyers, which could escalate into a national security crisis.
He referenced past conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where similar recruitment of mercenaries contributed to instability.
The illegal mining activities have already resulted in the takeover of nine forest reserves in Ghana, Ashigbey noted.
He emphasized that this issue is not only an environmental crisis but also a potential national security threat, warning that the situation could develop into a larger conflict if not addressed.
Despite only being in office for a few months, the pressure on the current administration to take swift and decisive action against illegal mining continues to mount, with Ashigbey calling for urgent reforms to combat the widespread damage caused by galamsey.
