A year after the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including two ministers, environmental advocacy group A-Rocha Ghana says Ghana has lost momentum in the fight against illegal mining, aka galamsey.

Deputy National Director of A-Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, says the initial public resolve following the tragedy has faded, leaving the country in a worse position.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, Mr Bosu said there were high expectations that the tragedy would trigger stronger action against illegal mining.

“You are very much on point when you say we had a lot of expectations, and I must say again that yes, we did. We did have a lot of expectations,” he said.

He said the period immediately after the crash created a rare sense of urgency around the galamsey fight.

“We started well, and then when the incident happened, we all kind of like got all this sudden momentum, built this sudden momentum. Everybody was rallying behind the goal, and then somehow we lost track.”

According to Mr Bosu, the country subsequently took its eyes off the problem, allowing the situation to deteriorate.

“We took our eyes off the ball, and everything went back towards the wall, if not worse.”

He said the deterioration is particularly worrying because environmental groups had expected the gains made after the tragedy to at least be maintained.

“I was following your statistics, your data, and I would say that I have even some more to fill in because, as you said, I mean, it’s really gotten that bad to the extent that we thought we had a baseline.”

He said the expectation was that authorities would maintain that baseline and, where possible, reduce the risks associated with illegal mining.

“We’re going to maintain it then, if not even anything at all, reduce the risks, but gain some ground in terms of the campaign.”

Mr Bosu said his recent assessment of illegal mining activities on the ground had deepened his concerns.

“But I mean, the way we said, and from being on the ground just last week and seeing what is happening, I had no choice but to say we are at a point of hopelessness.”

Asked whether Ghana is worse off a year after the helicopter crash, Mr Bosu was emphatic. “Yes!”

His comments come as concerns over the environmental damage caused by illegal mining continue to dominate public debate, particularly over the destruction of water bodies, forest reserves and farmlands.

For A-Rocha Ghana, the challenge is no longer only about sustaining the momentum created after the August 6 tragedy, but about restoring the leadership and urgency it believes have been lost in the fight.