Target Heavy Machinery, Not Emergency Measures — Retired Colonel Advises Government on Galamsey Fight

A Retired Colonel of the Ghana Army and Executive Member of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Festus Aboagye has cautioned the government against rushing to declare a state of emergency in its fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

According to him, such a move at this stage would be premature and could expose the country to serious political, socio-economic, and security risks.

“The best general is one who wins a war without firing a shot,” he stated, urging the authorities to adopt a more strategic approach.

Col. Aboagye made the statement on behalf of CDD at the President meeting with CSOs in Accra on the way forward in combatting the galamseyer scourge.

Speaking on behalf of CDD, he argued that the “centre of gravity” of illegal mining operations lies in the use of heavy industrial machinery, which enables large-scale destruction of the environment.

He therefore called on government to direct its crackdown efforts towards dismantling and controlling the machinery used in galamsey activities.

“If we can do this, we will eliminate illegal mining,” he asserted.

His comments come amid growing calls from sections of the public for the government to declare a state of emergency in heavily affected mining areas.

The Catholic Bishop Conference which made a representation at the meeting also made this remark about galamsey fight.

“After listening to the presentations from the minister and NAIMOS, we do appreciate that there something is being done”..-

The post Target Heavy Machinery, Not Emergency Measures — Retired Colonel Advises Government on Galamsey Fight appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story