Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr. Ing. Ken Ashigbey, says the extent of damage caused by illegal mining to the environment has surpassed the capacity of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to address, and therefore, the President must intervene.

According to him, during the initial stages of the crisis, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources was unable to handle the issue, and it will not be able to manage it now.

• Read also: Government committed to sustainable and legal mining – Lands Ministry insists

Dr. Ashigbey's comments follow Samuel Abu Jinapor's outline of measures the ministry and regional authorities are adopting to stop the problem.

However, the convener believes the minister has done his part, and it is time to pass the baton.

“At this point because we are in a crisis, I think the thing is gone beyond the minister for lands and natural resources. It needs the president himself to act on the challenges that is facing us to be able to deal decisively,” he said on Thursday.

• Read also: Galamsey: Lands Minister doesn’t get it, what is new among the solutions listed – Ken Ashigbey

He explained that in other parts of the world, when a crisis of this nature arises, decisive steps are taken to address it.

In this light, he said, the President must speak on the issue in the same consistent manner he addressed the nation during the pandemic.