Former Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Sam Pyne, has called for a unified, non-partisan approach to tackling illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana. Speaking on Bryt Adekye Mu Nsem with Kwamina Sam Biney, he emphasized that the fight against illegal mining should not be politicized, as mining activities will continue regardless of political affiliations.
Hon. Pyne revealed that he holds a mining concession but operates strictly within legal regulations.
However, he questioned the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources’ claim that 7,000 lands have been destroyed due to illegal mining, stating that he was unsure how the Minister arrived at that figure.
While acknowledging the severe environmental and economic damage caused by illegal mining, Hon. Pyne disagreed with the notion that politicians alone are responsible for undermining the fight against galamsey. He asserted that chiefs, pastors, businesspeople, and individuals—both local and foreign—also contribute to the illegal mining menace.
To effectively address the issue, he proposed empowering state agencies responsible for regulating the mining sector, ensuring they have the necessary resources to enforce legal procedures. He also urged political parties to refrain from making false promises to Ghanaians about allowing illegal mining in exchange for electoral support, as such statements only worsen the situation.
Hon. Pyne reiterated that ending illegal mining requires a collective national effort rather than political blame games, urging all stakeholders to work together for sustainable and responsible mining practices in Ghana.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
