The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) has called for the prosecution of persons whose involvement in illegal mining activities also known as ‘galamsey’ has contributed to environmental pollution in the country.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, FAGE demanded immediate government action to halt the destruction and restore the country's natural resources.

According to FAGE, the uncontrolled surge of illegal mining activities in the Ashanti, Eastern, and Western regions has far-reaching and potentially irreversible consequences.

These include severe threats to national food and water security, unprecedented biodiversity loss, destruction of agricultural lands, and impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on farming and ecosystem services for their livelihoods.

FAGE is calling for swift and decisive action from the government, including an immediate cessation of small-scale mining activities, deployment of security forces to affected areas, and redirection of the labour force towards productive employment in agribusiness and manufacturing.

The federation also demands funding for bioremediation strategies to restore damaged environments and prosecution of individuals whose negligence has contributed to the environmental devastation.

"The future of our nation hangs in the balance. We urge the government to take immediate action to save our land, water, and people's sustainable livelihoods," the statement read.

The issue of illegal mining has been a long-standing concern in Ghana, with many calling for stronger measures to address the problem. FAGE's press release has added to the growing chorus of voices demanding action from the government.

Below is the full statement:

The Federation of Associations of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE) is deeply alarmed by the uncontrolled surge of illegal mining activities ravaging Ghana's Ashanti, Eastern, and Western Regions, particularly in the critical Birimian and Tarkwaian basins.

The devastating consequences of this unchecked illegal mining epidemic are far-reaching and potentially irreversible:

1. Severe threats to national food and water security
2. Unprecedented biodiversity loss that may never be recovered
3. Destruction of vast tracts of agricultural lands, farms, and plantations
4. Impoverishment of hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians who depend on farming and ecosystem services for their livelihoods FAGE demands that the President and the government take immediate action to address this crisis.

We call for the following remedial measures to be implemented without delay:

1. An immediate cessation of all forms of small-scale mining activities across the country.
2. The swift deployment of security forces to affected areas to halt illegal mining operations. We urge the government to collaborate with key stakeholders, including traditional chiefs and civil society organisations, to ensure the effective expulsion of illegal miners.
3. The submission of a comprehensive proposal to redirect the labour force currently engaged in illegal mining towards productive employment.

This should focus on agribusiness and manufacturing, driven by large-scale investments in irrigation, agro-industrial parks, and processing facilities.

4. Immediate funding for Renewable Natural Resources Researchers and Ecologists at Ghana's leading universities to execute bioremediation strategies aimed at restoring our damaged environment.
5. Swift prosecution of all individuals whose negligence has contributed to the environmental devastation we are witnessing.

We call upon all political parties to review, publish, and commit to sign a performance contract with the Ghanaian people, outlining their commitment and strategies to combat illegal mining effectively.

Furthermore, we urge the media to maintain consistent coverage of this critical issue until long-term solutions are implemented and their efficacy is proven.

Ghana's future hangs in the balance. We demand immediate, decisive action to save our land, water, and people's sustainable livelihoods.