The Ghanaian Armed Forces battle galamsey in tandem with small-scale miners.

As part of its continuous efforts to tackle illegal mining, sometimes known as “galamsey,” the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have launched a new partnership with small-scale miners.
In addition to stepping up the fight against galamsey, which has seriously harmed the nation’s ecosystem, this effort seeks to encourage ethical mining techniques.

The Information Ministry highlighted in a news release on Wednesday, October 9, how crucial it is to include small-scale miners in the fight against illicit mining.

The statement claims that working together with legitimate miners will make it easier to find and expose illicit operators, resulting in more effective law and regulation enforcement in the impacted areas.

The partnership will also emphasise teaching miners on environmentally friendly mining methods and the detrimental impacts of galamsey on farms, waterways, and forests.
Working with local partners is thought to promote community trust and cooperation, which is essential for their anti-galamsey efforts to succeed.

This combined endeavour comes at a time when the government has ramped up its commitment to eradicate illegal mining and conserving the country’s natural resources.

According to the statement, cooperating with lawful miners will facilitate the identification and exposure of illegal operations, leading to enhanced law and regulation enforcement in the affected areas.

The alliance will also place a strong emphasis on educating miners about sustainable mining practices and the harm that galamsey causes to forests, farms, and rivers.

Collaborating with regional allies is believed to foster communal confidence and collaboration, both of which are critical for the accomplishment of their anti-galamsey initiatives.

This joint effort is being undertaken at a time when the government is more dedicated than ever to stopping illicit mining and protecting the nation’s natural resources.

A nationwide strike by organised labour is scheduled to start on Thursday, October 10, in protest of the government’s refusal to abide by three demands: the declaration of a state of emergency over water bodies and forest reserves, a temporary ban on all forms of small-scale mining, and the removal of the legislative instrument that permits mining in forest reserves. The government is running out of time to put an end to the galamsey menace.