[ 2014-09-20 ]

Govt to blame for galamsey deaths - ASMAN
Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Africa-Network
(ASMAN), has blamed government for the increasing
deaths through illegal mining activities, called
galamsey.

The small scale mining advocacy group says
government's “inability or failure to fulfill a
pledge to reclaim and cover all abandoned illegal
mining pits across the country, is largely to
blame for the numerous deaths occurring in the
pits.”

According to them since the major clamp down on
illegal mining by the inter-ministerial task force
about a year ago, more than 100 people including 3
children have reportedly died in abandoned
“galamsey” pits across the country, and this
ASMAN attributes partly to government's failure to
honoring the promise of reclaiming these pits.

Most of the pits, were reportedly dug by illegal
foreign miners who invaded the country's mining
concessions and were left uncovered after
government through the inter-ministerial task
force repatriated most of them forcefully to their
respective countries of origin.

In a statement issued and signed by the director
of Policy and Research, ASMAN wondered what has
become of the announcement by the President, John
Mahama in March 2014 during the commissioning of a
water treatment plant for the people of Kyebi.

The President announced that government was
seeking financial support and equipment from the
World Bank and the Chinese government respectively
to reclaim all abandoned and illegal mining pits
across the country. Several months after the
announcement however, ASMAN says nothing concrete
has been done by government in respect of the
pledge.

Prior to the President's announcement, the
immediate past Minister of Lands and Natural
Resources Alhaji Inusah Fuseini had in July 2013,
announced that the task force was to begin a
reclamation process to reclaim all lands degraded
by illegal miners in respective communities, but
added that they are yet to have any proof of the
exercise, having taken place.

Mr. Akuoko further explained that, even more
unfortunate is the fact that a presidential
directive to all MMDA's in affected communities to
reclaim “galamsey” pits was not implemented as
a result of the lack of resource capacity on the
part of the various assemblies.

“The Ejisu Juaben district assembly is the only
known District Assembly to have reclaimed about 5
abandoned Pits in August 2013”, he stated

ASMAN noted that the lack of Commitment and
failure or inability of government to reclaim
these pits is largely accountable for the deaths,
explaining that the abandoned pits attract
unemployed youth in the host communities who are
bent on making a living. Sadly, most of these
adventurous youth end up losing their lives in the
process, he said.

Aside these initiatives the director of Research &
Policy of ASMAN said they are also aware that huge
sums of levies have been collected by the various
Regional Security Councils (REGSEC's) from owners
of ceased equipment and vehicles for the same
purpose of reclaiming illegal mine pits, yet there
hasn't been any action in that regard.

Mr. Akuoko therefore appealed to government to
show practical commitment and reclaim all
abandoned pits across the country to safeguard
human lives and discourage the menace of galamsey.
He added that a major project to afforest or
re-vegetate the reclaimed lands must be initiated
immediately to restore the green nature of those
lands and make them more useful and
environmentally friendly. Such a project according
to ASMAN will also provide a huge job opportunity
for the numerous unemployed youth in the
respective mining communities.

Source - MyjoyOnline

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