We Can’t Use Brute Force To Stop Galamsey – Lecturer

Some participants of the workshop

 

A lecturer at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in Tarkwa has made it clear that illegal small scale mining activities or ‘galamsey’ cannot be stopped with brute force.

According to Dr. Ishmael Quaicoe, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Sustainable Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Hub at UMaT, when brute force is used against the galamseyers, they will fight back.

He said, “About one million Ghanaians are involved in that aspect of mining, and surprisingly they have sophisticated weapons. So when you fight them, they will also fight back.”

He, however, indicated that since those miners also contribute significantly to the country’s economy, the proper thing to do is to train them on responsible and sustainable mining.

The Senior Lecturer was speaking at a Western Regional Development Dialogue organised by the regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association.

It was on the theme “Redefining the Development Agenda: Collaborative Strategies for the Sustainable Growth of the Western Region”.

The programme was attended by representatives of traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, industry players, academia, civil society organisations (CSOs), the clergy, media, and other development actors.

Dr. Quaicoe suggested that water bodies should be protected by allowing the military to patrol on them 24 hours daily, to ward off miscreants who might want to mine in them.

Meanwhile, a communique issued at the close of the programme called for promotion of sustainable resource exploitation to balance economic growth and environmental preservation.

It also called for the prioritisation of climate-resilient infrastructure and spatial development plans to ensure long-term sustainability.

The communique demanded responsible resource exploitation by corporations in the extractive industry to ensure minimal environmental impact.

It stressed the need for investment in alternative transportation modes, such as railways, to ease pressure on roads and ensure affordability.

It also called for the exploration and utilisation of indigenous construction materials to support infrastructure projects and promote local industries.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi

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