Govt Is ‘Confused’ About Fighting Galamsey – Clement Abaidoo

Executive Director of the Center for Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainability (CENS) Africa, Clement Abaidoo is disappointed in government over its approach to combat illegal mining (galamsey) in the country.

The government has adopted an initiative dubbed  “Blue Water Guard” aimed at training thousands of Ghanaian youth to guard the water bodies.

At least 2,000 Ghanaian youth are expected to undergo rigorous training by the Ghana Navy Riverine Command under the auspices of the Minerals Commission and be equipped with the expertise to combat illegal mining operations on river bodies.

The first batch of 460 trainees will soon be deployed to the various galamsey communities.

“The Blue Water Initiative is our response—a comprehensive strategy to safeguard our water bodies and promote sustainable practices”, Lands Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah said during the launch of the initiative.

But to Clement Abaidoo, “the government is confused about fighting galamsey” as he shares little to no belief that this initiative will resolve the issue.

Alluding to when soldiers were used to fight the galamseyers but amounted to nothing, the CENS Africa boss sought to find out how well-trained are these water guards, especially in handling guns and in their combative approach to apprehending the illegal miners or executing their duties effectively.

To him, fighting galamsey has little to do with these water guards but rather installing the best methods to safeguard the water bodies and environment from the illegal mining activities.

“We need to be very comprehensive with this galamsey fight…Let’s not play cards about this. Irrespective of our political affiliation…we must admit that galamsey is now out of control”,he commented during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show.

Sources: Ghmessenger.com