The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has said that only traditional leaders can play a decisive role in ending illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.
According to him, the menace cannot be eradicated through government policies and programmes alone.
He explained that the involvement of chiefs, particularly those in mining communities, is crucial to achieving lasting results in the fight against illegal mining.
“I believe that our chiefs perhaps have much more to do than even the politicians. I honestly think that some of our very influential chiefs, those we hold in high esteem, if they were to rise one day and say ‘enough is enough, no more illegal mining or even mining on my land,’ whether people have concessions — large scale, medium, or small scale — if some of these chiefs should say for the next one month, ‘I don’t want mining on my land,’ I believe people would have no choice but to pause,” he said on JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday.
“And so I think we should really engage with our chiefs so that they can help save us. Otherwise, the way things are going, people will point out that once the chiefs are involved and allowing it, politicians can do nothing,” he added.
Mr. Braimah emphasised that traditional authorities wield significant influence over mining lands and communities, and their commitment to responsible mining practices could be the turning point in addressing the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.