By Muyid Deen Suleman
Kumasi Sept. 17, GNA-The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG), an umbrella of Muslim groups in Ghana, has called for prompt and sustained action against illegal mining activities (galamsey) in the country.
It said illegal mining, was not only a grave menace to the country’s environment, economy, and overall development but also ran counter to Islamic principles of environmental preservation and societal accountability, which needed heightened attention.
In a statement signed by Hajj Adbel-Manan Abdel-Rahman and made available to the Ghana News Agency, COMOG pointed out that illegal mining had become a pervasive issue in Ghana, with unlawful operators blatantly disregarding environmental and safety protocols.
These activities not only inflicted harm upon the environment but also eroded the trust in the legitimate mining sector, a crucial pillar of Ghana’s economy.
It pointed out that, the environmental repercussions of illegal mining were catastrophic, encompassing extensive deforestation, water contamination, soil degradation, as well as the utilisation of hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide, posing substantial risks to human health and ecological balance.
In addition, illegal mining threatened the well-being of individuals residing in mining areas, potentially leading to a looming shortage of human resources for the nation.
The release underscored that “galamsey” had been linked to various illnesses and birth defects in newborns within communities affected by the practice.
Economically, illegal mining exacts severe consequences, resulting in revenue losses for the government and fostering unfair competition with legitimate mining enterprises, thereby jeopardizing the stability of the entire mining industry.
According to the statement, the illicit mining sector was estimated to be valued in the billions of Ghanaian cedis, with the capacity to destabilize the mining industry.
Moreover, the proliferation of illegal mining posed national security risks, as it had the potential to finance criminal activities and terrorist groups within the country.
COMOG, therefore, urged the government to take immediate measures to combat the menace and recommended enhanced enforcement and surveillance of mining operations.
It also called upon the government to strengthen the enforcement of regulations and statutes to deter illegal mining activities.
Community involvement and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the perils of illegal mining should be intensified, the statement said.
COMOG said it would continue to remain steadfast in its commitment to propagate Islamic values of environmental preservation, societal accountability, and economic equity in Ghana.
Consequently, it implored all stakeholders to unite in denouncing illegal mining and collaborate towards a resolution that safeguarded the environment, economy, and the well-being of the people.
GNA