A Visiting Claude Ake Chair, Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala University, Sweden, Professor Kwesi Aning says that the state is unwilling to resolve the challenges with illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.

This is in spite of President Akufo-Addo’s vow to deal with persons within his government who may be found complicit in illegal mining activities.

The President said the government has for several years been struggling with the fight against ‘galamsey’, hence government officials cannot continue to compromise efforts against the menace.

He therefore called for persons with evidence to provide it for the necessary action to be taken against those complicit in ‘galamsey.’

But Prof. Aning stated that the fight against illegal mining across the country cannot be won by this approach.

According to him, the fight cannot be won because “Ghana has become a state under siege – a beleaguered state in which there is a state within the state that is influencing the way policy relating to mining is made, understood or implemented.”

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newfile on Saturday, Prof Aning indicated that there are some unelected people – Chiefs, business people, individual chemical sellers, politicians have come together to undermine the authority of the state.

“What we are seeing is a state that is incapable and unwilling to implement the laws that it has made for itself voluntarily and when people flout those laws, to punish them,” he said.

Prof. Aning therefore called for “widespread social action that says we will not accept this [galamsey] anymore.”

Meanwhile, in the course of the week, President Akufo-Addo in a meeting with the leadership of the National House of Chiefs reiterated his commitment to working hand-in-hand with Chiefs, traditional rulers and all stakeholders in the fight against Galamsey.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “it is obvious that, if we are to win the fight, you and I have to take the lead to collaborate closely to do so.”