By Kamal Ahmed
Somanya (E/R), July 24, GNA – Professor Abass Gibrilla, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), has described the 20-year prison sentence imposed on businessman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a significant development in Ghana’s fight against illegal mining.
He said the development signalled a new phase in the anti-galamsey campaign, which had largely focused on vulnerable miners while financiers and influential actors often escaped accountability.
Prof Gibrilla made the remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the University in Somanya in the Eastern Region.
He said targeting financiers was critical to addressing the root causes of illegal mining and safeguarding the country’s water bodies, forests, farmlands and public health.
“The financiers are the source of the problem because all along, we have been tackling it from the surface,” he said.
The Senior Lecturer explained that individuals who provided capital for illegal mining operations remained the key drivers of the activity and should be a major focus of enforcement efforts.
“But once we are able to tackle it from the source, the financiers who are pumping money for these young people to go into galamsey—and begin prosecuting them, it will serve as a strong warning,” he said.
Prof Gibrilla noted that such actions would send a clear message to both Ghanaians and foreign nationals that financing illegal mining in the country carried serious consequences.
“When you come to Ghana and finance galamsey, the justice system will catch up with you,” he added.
The water resources expert said the prosecution of politically exposed persons linked to illegal mining reinforced the principle that no individual, regardless of status or political influence, was above the law.
He, however, cautioned against politicising prosecutions and urged the Government to demonstrate the same commitment in dealing with members of its own political establishment who might be implicated.
“My worry is that these powerful people who are being prosecuted should not be politicised, but the government should also have the courage to prosecute its own,” he said.
Prof Gibrilla observed that some cases involving individuals associated with the governing party were reportedly under investigation and called for clarity on their status.
He said prosecuting all offenders found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation, would strengthen public confidence in the fight against illegal mining.
“If the government begins to prosecute its own people for indulging in galamsey, the signal will go out there that no matter who you are. If you cross the red line by indulging in illegal mining, the laws will catch up with you,” he said.
The Senior Lecturer also cautioned politicians against relying on political power or connections as protection from future prosecution.
“The bottom line is that no matter who you are, once you indulge in illegal mining, a day of reckoning is coming. If you are doing it because your party is in power, remember tomorrow your party won’t be in power, and the laws that are being applied to people today will be applicable to you tomorrow.”
According to Prof Gibrilla, accountability for illegal mining offences could extend beyond changes in government.
“Crime has no expiry date, because you use your party as an insurance cover, remember you won’t stay in power forever. Immediately your party leaves power, the justice system and the law will surely get hold of you.”
The hydrologist further stated that Ghana’s long-term fight against illegal mining must include investment in skills development, research and sustainable mining technologies.
He said the country’s abundant natural resources could be exploited more responsibly through innovation and improved technical capacity.
Prof Gibrilla explained that current illegal mining methods often caused extensive environmental destruction while yielding relatively small quantities of gold.
“When you look at how galamsey is being done, they destroy huge parcels of land to be able to get a certain amount of gold. But with skills, knowledge and a lot of research, we can get the same quantity of gold or resources within a smaller area.”
He called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations, academia, research institutions, the media, and the public to address the menace.
“Illegal mining is not about an individual. It is polluting our water resources, our food and our air, and if we all come together to fight against galamsey, we can protect the environment and secure a better future for generations to come.”
GNA
Edited by D. I. Laary/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Kamal Ahmed
Email: [email protected]