Tarkwa: Dr Steve Manteaw, the Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), is urging the state to allocate necessary budgetary resources to combat the illegal mining problem known as galamsey. He emphasized that the country’s efforts appear insincere due to the absence of dedicated funding in the national budget to address this critical issue.

According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Manteaw, speaking at a Mining for Development forum in Tarkwa, revealed that he had reviewed national budgets from 2021 through 2024 and found no specific financial provisions for tackling galamsey. He noted the lack of funding at both the national and local levels, stating that no assembly in regions affected by galamsey had designated funds to fight the menace. Dr Manteaw highlighted the financial challenges in combating illegal mining, mentioning the high costs associated with evacuating equipment and the insufficiency of relying solely on the District Assembly Common Fund.

Mr Sulemanu Koney, CEO of
the Ghana Chamber of Mines, added that while illegal mining poses significant challenges, it also presents opportunities to address unemployment in the country. He suggested that by integrating willing individuals into legitimate mining practices, the nation could harness this potential. Mr Koney proposed a collaborative approach where co-regulated mining companies work alongside trained and certified professionals from regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission. This strategy would aim to formalize small-scale miners, encouraging responsible and sustainable operations that create decent jobs and contribute to the national economy.