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The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Kathleen Addy has called on Ghana's security agencies, particularly the military and police, to treat illegal mining, also known as "galamsey," as a serious offense that requires urgent and decisive intervention to halt its devastating effects on the nation.
She noted that galamsey is not just an environmental concern but a severe criminal act that undermines national efforts towards sustainable development and environmental governance.
"Our 1992 Constitution, in Article 41(k), enjoins all Ghanaians to protect and safeguard the environment as part of our civic responsibility," she said, adding "Therefore, we see galamsey as a significant setback to preserving the environment."
In addition, she said, "Illegal mining is a direct existential threat to our environment, public health, and the prosperity of our country."
Ms. Addy made these remarks during an engagement with some selected media houses in Accra on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to voice the NCCE's stance on the growing galamsey menace in the country.
Various organisations, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Trades Union Congress (TUC), and other professional bodies, have expressed increasing concern over illegal mining activities, urging the government to take immediate action.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has also raised alarms about the difficulty in treating water due to high levels of pollution caused by galamsey.
Adding the NCCE’s voice to the chorus of calls for urgent action, Ms. Addy urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against offenders.
She stressed that while the NCCE’s mandate is purely educational, the responsibility for arresting and prosecuting perpetrators lies with the security services.
"We cannot arrest or impose sanctions, but we will continue to educate the public," she explained, adding that "Our role is to ensure that citizens are empowered with knowledge."
Ms. Addy called for increased patrols and surveillance in areas prone to galamsey, as well as greater collaboration with local communities to identify and report illegal mining activities.
Ms. Addy also urged both the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to demonstrate a clear commitment to fighting galamsey.
"They must articulate and spell out without equivocation how they will address this menace," she said, noting that it is disingenuous to claim opposition to galamsey while tacitly encouraging its continuation.
She pointed out that the NCCE has consistently demonstrated its dedication to environmental sustainability through tree-planting exercises, environmental education, and community outreach programmes aimed at raising awareness about environmental conservation.
Ms. Addy commended the Chiefs and youth of Akyem Asoum in the Eastern Region for driving out galamsey operators from their community, urging other communities to follow suit.
For her, every Ghanaian has a role to play in protecting the environment.
She also praised the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his actions in destooling chiefs involved in illegal mining, underscoring the need for swift and severe legal action against those who destroy the nation’s natural resources for personal gain.
The NCCE Chairperson reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with state agencies, civil society organisations, and local communities to promote environmental governance and sustainability.
"Let us all remember that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. Each of us must play a role in order for us to win this fight against galamsey," Ms Addy said, stressing "We must act now, decisively, and with a sense of urgency to preserve our natural resources and to secure a sustainable future for all Ghanaians."
