Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has emphasized the need for a collective approach to addressing the persistent challenge of illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.

Speaking in Parliament, Ayariga described galamsey as a national crisis that requires the involvement of all stakeholders to resolve.

He stressed that without a concerted effort, the problem would persist, causing further environmental degradation and social challenges.

“It is a problem that confronts all of us, and it is a problem all of us must be involved in solving. Unless we work together, we won’t be able to resolve this problem,” he stated.

The Majority Leader recounted his visit to galamsey sites, where he witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of illegal mining.

According to him, he saw massive excavators at work and was particularly disturbed by the sight of hundreds of young girls from the northern regions, some in secondary school, carrying loads of mined materials on their heads.

“The situation is dire. When I was the Minister for Environment, I made it a point to visit galamsey sites. I visited locations where huge excavators were in operation, and I saw hundreds of young girls in secondary schools from the North carrying the materials on their heads in pans,” he revealed.

Ayariga stressed that addressing the root causes of galamsey requires creating alternative livelihoods, particularly in less developed regions, to provide economic opportunities that deter people from engaging in illegal mining.

“To solve this problem, we must create alternative livelihoods in the less developed regions of our country,” he urged.

Galamsey has been a pressing issue in Ghana, with its adverse effects on water bodies, farmlands, and local communities. Despite numerous interventions, the problem remains widespread.

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