Security Expert Richard Kumador has outlined a three-point strategy for ending illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana, cautioning against the over-reliance on military deployment.
Responding to recent remarks by Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to tackling galamsey, Kumador told ABC News GH, “You don’t use military entirely to deal with galamsey. We have said it over and over.”
He emphasized that a structural approach is needed instead of brute force.
According to Kumador, the real solution lies in “the licensing regime, regulatory compliance, and political interest.” He explained that if these three elements are addressed, the country could deal with the problem within weeks.
“Once we stop the odd ways of mining, we will refine our water bodies.” His comments echo calls from academics and civil society groups like UTAG, who recently challenged President Mahama to walk the talk on his anti-galamsey pledges, citing the continued destruction of forest reserves and river bodies.
While acknowledging that “much work has been done,” Kumador stressed that “much more is needed to be done.”
The latest comments raise questions about the government’s multi-pronged anti-galamsey initiative, which includes a new housing project for the military and taskforce operations in mining regions.
