GNASSM proposes CEA to fight galamsey

The General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), Godwin Amarh, has shared insights on the critical issue of illegal mining. During a discussion held at the GNASSM Hall in Tamso, Tarkwa, he introduced a strategy known as the Community Enforcement Approach (CEA).

He called for community involvement in managing mining operations to control illegal mining activities, especially in areas where traditional leaders, religious groups, youth representatives, and small-scale miners can unite. These groups would form committees to work closely with the District Mining Committees to ensure proper management of mining issues.

“Small-scale miners are not given licenses to mine in river bodies, meaning any mining activity in rivers is illegal and classified as “galamsey.” He pointed out that “illegal dredging is responsible for 95% of river pollution”, he said.

“There is no difference between illegal mining and illegal small-scale mining, and it would be unfair to blame licensed small-scale miners for environmental destruction. Illegal miners take advantage of the political climate to continue their activities, which must be strictly dealt with,” he added.

He also addressed the economic effects of banning small-scale mining, which could result in youth unemployment, loss of investment, and job cuts in the jewelry industry.

Despite these challenges, he insisted that “the sector’s issues must be tackled without emotions or political influence to protect the environment, especially the forests and river bodies”.

Source: Radioneghana.com/Armah Paulina