Western Regional Minister promises alternative livelihoods for ‘galamseyers’

Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has vowed to tackle the pollution of water bodies caused by illegal mining activities in Ghana.

He emphasized that despite the challenges, stakeholders, including the Ghana Armed Forces, must work together to combat this issue.

Mr Joseph Nelson assured that his administration will coordinate efforts to restore the environment and water bodies affected by illegal mining.

He made this commitment while addressing top officials of the Airforce Base in Takoradi on February 19, 2025.

Mr Nelson’s stance on illegal mining is crucial, given the devastating impact it has on the environment and local communities.

His call for a coordinated approach involving various stakeholders, including the military, highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for a multi-faceted solution.

The Minister, who is also Chairman of Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had engaged leadership of the Airforce base command for security briefings and familiarisation tour of the area.

Air Commodore Kwabena Kissiedu Manukure Atiemo, the base Commander, had informed the Minister about complexities being encountered in the fight against illegal mining activities in the Western Region and across the country.

In response, the Minister said despite these complexities, the destruction of environment, and pollution of water bodies, definitely cannot be allowed to simmer as leadership watch on unconcerned.

Consequently, he said leadership was about choices, and the leadership choice he would provide at this point was necessary to deal with perpetrators of illegal mining in the region.

He said instead of wailing and doing nothing, his administration would work with stakeholders to provide alternative sources of livelihood for the people against the over dependence on illegal mining for survival.

“Those polluting the water bodies and surviving, there are alternatives,” he said with emphasis.

Mr Joseph Nelson said, allowing the practice of illegal mining activities in the region to fester, was equivalent to choosing death over life.

Under the circumstance, he declared that his administration would collaborate with stakeholders to end illegal mining in the region. “We must all be committed to fighting it,” he concluded.

By Ebenezer Atiemo

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