Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has called on the Ghanaian government to take more aggressive action in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. According to him, current strategies—such as declaring affected areas as security zones—are insufficient. Instead, he urged the state to go a step further by confiscating lands used for illegal mining activities.
Speaking during a panel discussion on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, September 27, Bentil emphasized the need to address land ownership, especially where traditional authorities are complicit.
“Going beyond security zones is necessary. That approach is good, but not enough. The state must take control and confiscate the lands,” he stated.
Bentil argued that long-term success in curbing illegal mining would only be achieved if the government takes back lands from chiefs and other stakeholders who have failed to manage them responsibly.
Government’s Anti-Galamsey Efforts Under Scrutiny
Bentil’s comments come at a time when public opinion on the government’s handling of the galamsey menace remains divided. While some commend the efforts being made, others believe the measures lack consistency and impact.
Adding to the debate, Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid, Economic Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, appeared on JoyNews’ Newsfile to defend President John Mahama’s approach to the issue.
He rejected claims that the President has been inactive since taking office and noted that meaningful steps have been taken over the past nine months to address illegal mining.
“If the President had been idle with no action taken, the criticism would be fair. But that is not the case. Strategic and prudent measures have been implemented,” Prof. Khalid noted.
Crackdown on Illegal Miners
Professor Khalid pointed to the arrest of over 1,400 individuals involved in illegal mining operations as a significant milestone. He explained that these arrests are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the networks behind illegal mining.
“The President promised to go after the kingpins. Starting with 1,400 arrests shows a clear intent. These arrests are the beginning of a process that will eventually lead to the masterminds,” he explained.
He also proposed a pragmatic solution involving conditional amnesty for illegal miners who cooperate with authorities by providing information about their sponsors or financiers.
“If someone is willing to lead us to the big players behind these operations, granting some form of amnesty is a wise move,” he added.
Retraining and Reintegration
Professor Khalid emphasized the importance of reintegrating former illegal miners into the formal economy. He suggested offering them vocational training and artisanal skills as part of a long-term national strategy.
He concluded by calling for unity and bipartisan cooperation in tackling the galamsey crisis, urging critics to support ongoing efforts and contribute to a collective national response.
Source: mynewsgh
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