The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has called for an inclusive approach in the ongoing battle against illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
AFAG stressed that without the active involvement of local communities and stakeholders, the fight will fail.
Speaking during a press conference on October 9, 2024, Arnold Boateng, the Deputy General Secretary of AFAG, emphasized the need for government efforts to be supplemented by grassroots participation, particularly from traditional leaders, assembly members, civil society organizations, and local communities directly affected by the menace.
He noted that despite interventions such as military deployments and the destruction of mining equipment, galamsey activities persist, causing extensive environmental damage and endangering the livelihoods of many Ghanaians. "One of the primary reasons for the failure of the government's approach to combatting galamsey is the lack of involvement of key local stakeholders, including traditional rulers (Nananom), assembly members, unit committees, civil society organizations, and the local community. "The fight against galamsey cannot be won from Accra alone.