Prof Lumumba Blames Governance Failures for Galamsey Crisis
Prof Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba warned on Friday that Ghana’s illegal small‑scale mining, known as galamsey, is thriving because of governance failures, calling for emergency‑level action.
The observation was made during a virtual environmental conference organised by the Institute of Governance Ethics and Religion (IGER‑AFRICA) on 5 December. The forum, titled “Navigating the Challenges of Illegal Mining in Ghana: Impact on Individuals, Communities, Health and Policy,” examined the social and ecological fallout of unregulated mining.
Lumumba highlighted that galamsey has polluted rivers, contaminated farmlands and jeopardised the livelihoods of thousands of Ghanaians. He warned that continued inaction will deepen both environmental degradation and human suffering.
According to the professor, the lure of quick cash has drawn many workers away from productive jobs into illegal mining, creating long‑term repercussions for society. He noted that unrestrained extraction is eroding soil quality and the food chain, leaving everyone worse off.
“The time is now for us to do the right thing,” Lumumba said, stressing that delays only worsen the crisis.
He urged governments to move beyond rhetoric, insisting that tangible results, not mere intentions, should judge policies and laws. He added that officials elected on promises to curb illegal mining must be held accountable for delivering measurable outcomes.
“This problem needs to be treated as an emergency,” he emphasized, arguing that effective implementation, rather than policy pronouncements, is the true test of leadership.
Zooming out, the scholar warned that foreign dominance in the African mining sector limits local control. “If you come to Ghana, the top mining companies are not Ghanaians. The same is true in the DRC, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Nigeria,” he observed.
He questioned why galamsey persists despite seemingly robust legal frameworks, pointing out that environmental destruction continues even with existing regulations.
IGER‑AFRICA, the conference organiser, promotes ethical leadership, good governance and inter‑faith dialogue to advance peace, social justice and sustainable development across the continent.
As the debate moves forward, stakeholders anticipate stricter enforcement and transparent monitoring to ensure that the promised emergency response materialises, lest Ghana’s natural resources and communities suffer further loss.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
