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Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Defence Minister nominee, has called for a holistic approach to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond military intervention and requires addressing its socioeconomic roots.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 28, Dr. Omane Boamah outlined his vision for a sustainable solution to Ghana’s illegal mining crisis.
He argued that relying solely on military action is insufficient to tackle the complex challenges posed by galamsey.
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“The fight against galamsey should not be viewed purely through the lens of soldiers going to fight it,” Dr. Boamah stated, pointing out that the issue is deeply rooted in economic and social factors.
The nominee proposed a multifaceted strategy that includes engaging communities and promoting alternative livelihood programmes to deter individuals from engaging in illegal mining.
“We need to engage the people and inform them of the other livelihood programmes and their benefits,” he said, adding that providing sustainable opportunities would naturally reduce the number of people involved in galamsey.
Dr. Boamah emphasized that such an approach would ease the strain on law enforcement. “So the numbers will reduce, and those that will be left won’t overwhelm the police,” he explained.
He also advocated incorporating modern technology to enhance monitoring and enforcement efforts, alongside strategic military involvement to address residual illegal activities.
“We need to fight galamsey as a comprehensive thing and bring in the military in addition to modern technology to help them deal with it,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of a coordinated and inclusive approach.
Dr. Boamah concluded by stressing that tackling galamsey as a national issue, with contributions from all stakeholders, would yield more effective and lasting results. His commitment to sustainable solutions has drawn attention as the nation continues its fight against illegal mining and its environmental repercussions.
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