FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Accra, Ghana – July 1, 2025 — Hon. Benedicta Esinam Akweso, Member of the National Youth Mock Parliament, has delivered a strong call to action in Parliament, urging all stakeholders to confront the deepening crisis of illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—with renewed commitment, transparency, and accountability.
In a statement delivered during the second edition of the National Youth Mock Parliament organized by the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) in collaboration with the Parliament of Ghana to commemorate World Parliament Day, Hon. Akweso decried the environmental destruction being caused by illegal mining, particularly in rural communities. She pointed to the continued pollution of rivers, depletion of forest reserves, and loss of arable farmland, all of which threaten the health and livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians.
“Galamsey is not just an environmental issue; it is a governance crisis. Its persistence reflects weak institutional enforcement, political interference, and the failure to uphold the rule of law,” she stated.
While acknowledging recent efforts by government—including Operation Halt II, river dredging initiatives, and mercury-free gold processing technologies—she emphasized that these measures remain undermined by inconsistent enforcement and lack of transparency.
The Member particularly called for a comprehensive review of the small-scale mining licensing regime, describing it as plagued by loopholes and poor monitoring. She stressed that licenses are sometimes issued without proper environmental assessments or community consultations, while many miners operate illegally or breach license conditions with impunity.
“We must treat the financing of galamsey as an act of economic sabotage. Those who sponsor or protect these operations—regardless of political affiliation or influence—must face the full force of the law,” Hon. Akweso declared.
She further urged Parliament to strengthen its oversight role and support affected communities in seeking redress for environmental damage and livelihood losses.
Hon. Akweso also drew attention to the critical role of the media in exposing environmental abuse but noted that many outlets, particularly in rural areas, are hampered by underfunding, limited safety guarantees, and political pressures.
“Without supporting independent journalism, we widen the accountability gap and silence the watchdogs that keep power in check,” she said.
In concluding her statement, she described the fight against galamsey as a test of Ghana’s national leadership and collective resolve.
“If we fail to act decisively, we risk irreversible ecological damage and a collapse of public trust in our democracy,” she warned.
Hon. Akweso is calling on Parliament, civil society, the media, and all Ghanaians to unite in the fight against illegal mining and to protect the nation’s natural resources for present and future generations.
