The debate over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has once again surfaced as the Member of Parliament for Bongo, Charles Bawaduah, acknowledged both its economic benefits and its devastating consequences.

Speaking on GHOne TV with Serwaa Amihere, the MP noted that while galamsey has provided employment opportunities for many young people, its impact on the environment remains a serious concern.

“Yes, galamsey has helped young people. The problem is how it destroys the land and water bodies. We must protect our land and water while also making sure young people have jobs,” he stated.

His remarks come at a time when the government is under pressure to find a sustainable solution to illegal mining.

Over the years, successive administrations have launched various campaigns to curb the menace, yet illegal miners continue to operate, often with sophisticated machinery that further devastates forests and pollutes major rivers.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has raised a serious alarm over the ongoing destruction of Ghana’s forests due to galamsey.

Speaking in Parliament, he warned that the country’s forests and water bodies are facing an unprecedented threat, largely caused by illegal mining activities, which continue to escalate despite efforts to curb them.

“Ghana’s forests continue to be under serious threats of deforestation and forest degradation due to factors known to all of us.

Ghana is currently faced with an unprecedented threat to our forest resources and water bodies due largely to illegal small-scale mining activities,” he stated.

He described the situation as a national crisis with severe consequences for public health and security, stressing that urgent intervention is needed.

“This situation has assumed crisis proportion of dire national security and public health consequences that require immediate attention.”

According to him, a shocking 44 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves are under direct attack by illegal miners who are heavily armed and violent, making it nearly impossible for forestry officials to stop their operations.

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