Ahanta west: Ahanta West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Ebenezer Aidoo, has announced that his administration is ramping up surveillance efforts and strengthening ties with security agencies to tackle the issue of illegal mining, commonly referred to as 'galamsey'.
According to Ghana Web, Aidoo emphasized during an interview with Joy News' AM Show that the fight against 'galamsey' should be viewed as a collective national responsibility rather than a partisan issue. He warned against seeing the problem as linked to any specific political party, stating the need for a unified approach to resolve it effectively.
Aidoo pointed out that the current administration has adopted more robust strategies in combating this issue over the past year. He suggested that such measures, if implemented earlier, might have mitigated the extent of the environmental damage. He criticized the previous administration for allowing a "free-for-all" situation from 2020 to 2024, where illegal mining was rampant, even in rivers.
Being a mining engineer, Aidoo highlighted his active involvement in field operations, ensuring that he is not limited to office duties. He collaborates with intelligence and NAIMOS to identify and address areas of illegal mining activity, emphasizing the importance of continued surveillance to prevent miners from returning to abandoned sites.
Aidoo acknowledged the challenges involved, noting that while their efforts are not foolproof, they are committed to keeping illegal miners at bay. The ongoing initiatives aim to sustain the enforcement of laws against 'galamsey' and protect the region's natural resources.