A Rocha Ghana slams Mahama’s “excuses” on galamsey fight

Deputy Country Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, has criticised President John Mahama’s position on illegal mining, describing his response as “disappointing” and full of excuses.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (11 September), Bosu said Ghana is already in an environmental crisis, with over 60 percent of water bodies polluted and nine forest reserves heavily degraded by illegal mining.

“At a time when our forests are under siege and our water bodies are almost gone, the president says a state of emergency will be a last resort. What benchmark is he waiting for? If this is not a crisis, then what is?” he asked.

Bosu welcomed the creation of nine mining offices (MOCs) to coordinate the fight but questioned their capacity. “One unit located in one place without resources cannot tackle a nationwide menace. State agencies are on the ground but are acting like sitting ducks, pretending it’s not a crime,” he argued.

He also rejected the president’s suggestion that illegal mining provides jobs for unemployed youth.

“We cannot use an illegality as an excuse. That’s like saying if you don’t have a dustbin, you can throw your waste outside. Mining in forest reserves is not compatible with the law and should never be condoned,” Bosu insisted.

He called on government to urgently repeal regulations that allow mining in forest reserves and empower the Forestry Commission to enforce the law.

“Repealing the law is not enough; we need to empower the Commission to police effectively. But at least, it will send a strong message that mining in reserves will not be tolerated,” he said.