FIGHT AGAINST GALAMSEY CAN YIELD RESULTS WHEN CHIEFS AROUND THE AREA AND LAND OWNERS ARRESTED

The fight against galamsey can be successful if traditional leaders and landowners who facilitate illegal mining activities are held accountable.

According to Nana Kwaku Siaw, Nkosuohene of Anwomaso Traditional Area, arresting chiefs who lease their lands to illegal miners without proper vetting is crucial to winning the battle against galamsey.

He emphasized that chiefs in the past prioritized environmental sustainability and citizen well-being, but many now prioritize personal gain.

Nana Siaw called on the government to target and question chiefs and landowners whose communities have been invaded by galamsey operators.

This stance is supported by the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, which also advocates for the arrest of chiefs who allow galamsey activities in their communities.

They argue that traditional authorities cannot claim ignorance of the destruction caused by galamsey and must be held accountable.

The government has shown commitment to tackling galamsey, with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources emphasizing that no one is above the law in this fight.

Over 1,500 people involved in galamsey have been arrested and are facing prosecution.

Collaborative efforts between government agencies, traditional leaders, and the community are essential to protecting the environment and ensuring the success of anti-galamsey initiatives