Accra, Feb. 25, GNA – The Frimpong‑Manso Institute (FMI) has raised concern over the ongoing destruction of rivers, farmlands, and forest reserves by illegal small‑scale mining (galamsey), warning that the escalating crisis endangers water security, public health, and rural livelihoods—especially in the Ashanti and Western Regions.
In a statement issued in Accra, the Institute said community reports and public investigations reveal a persistent “raid‑return cycle” in which illegal miners reappear soon after law‑enforcement operations—often more organised—fueling bribery, protection networks and systemic integrity failures.
The release was signed by Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong‑Manso, President of FMI, and Dr. George Manful, Thematic Chair for Environment and Sustainability.
FMI cautioned that “raids without integrity reforms simply reset the cycle: raid today, return tomorrow.”
It said Ghana cannot afford to normalise environmental crime while affected communities endure polluted water sources, degraded farmlands and a weakening of trust in state institutions.
The Institute called for visible prosecutions, consistent sanctions, and a deliberate effort to dismantle the supply chains that enable illegal mining, including the flow of machinery, fuel and illicit gold.
FMI also pointed to gaps in the Community Mining Programme, noting that although it was intended to formalise small‑scale mining and reduce galamsey, implementation has been inconsistent and, in some cases, undermined by governance weaknesses.
FMI emphasized that Ghana’s rivers and forest reserves were critical national assets that must be protected, and that integrity in enforcement is essential.
They called for an end to bribery, protection rackets, and negotiated enforcement.
Communities should have safe, non‑violent channels to report illegal mining, while young people need legitimate economic opportunities to move away from illicit mining work.
To address the systemic drivers of illegal mining, FMI proposed a national compact built on five pillars:
Integrity Firewall that is Transparent investigations and credible enforcement, Community Stewardship that entails arly‑warning systems, secure reporting platforms, and continuous public education.
There is also need for youth exit ramps involving training and jobs in reclamation, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture and related fields, regular water‑quality monitoring and enhanced health outreach as fast‑tracked prosecutions, asset seizures, and disruption of the machinery, fuel, and illicit gold supply chain enabling illegal mining.
FMI urged the Government and security agencies to sustain enforcement efforts backed by strong integrity safeguards, and to publish visible legal outcomes to build public confidence.
It encouraged the Judiciary to prioritise environmental crime cases and apply deterrent sanctions and urged traditional authorities to enforce community rules and reject any gains associated with illegal mining.
The Institute emphasised that Ghana’s natural heritage “is not disposable,” insisting that impunity must end and the networks enabling environmental destruction must be exposed, prosecuted and dismantled.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade