Galamsey Fight Requires More Than Just Enforcement”: Michael Peprah Emphasizes Need for Clear Legal Frameworks and Effective Monitoring
The destruction of Ghana’s water bodies and farmlands due to illegal mining continues to worsen, with critics warning that government responses remain short-term and reactive. Michael Peprah, President of the Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association, describes the situation as a failure of leadership to pursue sustainable solutions.
Speaking on The Digest on Kessben TV, Peprah argued that banning small-scale mining or declaring emergencies may sound decisive but do not address the root causes of galamsey.
“Damaged water bodies do not automatically recover, and operators often return to mining even after reclamation exercises,” he said. Peprah emphasized the need for clear legal frameworks that define mining areas while strictly protecting forests and water bodies.
He also pointed to enforcement challenges, noting that poor monitoring has undermined every administration’s efforts to combat illegal mining. “If monitoring agencies were more effective, we wouldn’t be in this constant struggle. Our problem as a country is that we are not thinking about real solutions, and that is why we find ourselves here today,” he added.
As Ghanaians await decisive action, the fight against galamsey continues to challenge both political will and national resolve.
