By Joseph Nana Yaw Cobbina
Three civil society organisations (CSOs), Wacam, Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), and Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), are calling on the government to impose a moratorium on the mining licences in Ghana in order to stop the destruction of the forests and pollution of river bodies.
Through their collective action against the devastating effects of surface mining, and galamsey, which is illegal mining, the CSOs stated that the action involves diverse stakeholders, such as clergy, churches, workers, market women and men, media, and traditional authorities who are holding the government accountable.
In a joint statement signed by the Executive Directors, Mr. Augustine Niber of CEPIL, Dr. Samuel Obiri of CEIA, and Mr. Kwaku Afari, Technical Director of Wacam, the groups highlighted the destructive impact of Ghana’s current mining boom, known as the “Third Jungle Boom,” which has led to widespread destruction of indigenous communities’ lands, forcing farmers to abandon their livelihoods and engage in illicit mining.
This illicit mining, the statement said, exposed the farmers to hazardous chemicals like cyanide. In this regard, Wacam, CEIA, and CEPIL proposed a non-partisan approach and an immediate moratorium on mining licences to cover all categories of mining.
According to the statement, the three CSOs have been vocal about the dangers of mining in forest reserves since 2002, specifically highlighting the devastating effects of mine wastewater on forests and waterbodies that serve as drinking water sources for communities.
“Mining in forest reserves constitutes an insult to the dignity of our nation for anybody who would allow local or foreign companies to mine in forest reserves,” the groups stated. With the increasing demand for cocoa, destroying cocoa trees for surface mining is alarming.
It added that the consequences of such actions are dire, as seen in the case of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, which discharged massive amounts of mine waste into River Subri on two separate occasions: December 26, 2010, and December 20-24, 2011. River Subri, which flows from Bono and Ahafo regions to the Western Region, is a vital source of drinking water for millions of Ghanaians.
The CSOs also identified weak laws and their ineffective enforcement, as well as a lack of political will among governments to make tough decisions to address mining problems, as key challenges facing the mining sector.
This lack of political will is often due to connections between miners and political parties, it said.
To address these issues, Wacam, CEIA, and CEPIL emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive review of laws and regulations governing mining operations, prioritising robust environmental safeguards to prevent ecological damage and ensure sustainable practices.
The statement concluded by stressing the need for collective action to protect Ghana’s natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for its citizens.
