The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has said only traditional leaders can play a decisive role in ending illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the country.
According to him, the menace cannot be eradicated through government policies and programmes alone.
He explained that the involvement of chiefs, particularly those in mining communities, is crucial to achieving lasting results in the fight against illegal mining.
“I at this point will believe that our chiefs perhaps have much more to do than even maybe the politicians. I honestly believe that some of our very influential chiefs, the chiefs that we hold in high esteem, if they are to get up one day to say enough is enough, no more illegal mining or even mining on my land, whether people have concessions, large scale, medium or small scales, if some of these chiefs should get up and say for the next one month, I dont want mining on my land, I believe that you have not choice but to pause,” he said on JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday.
“And so I think we should really engage with our Chiefs so that we can have them save our us, otherwise the way things are going, people will point to the fact that, once the chiefs are involved, chiefs are allowing it the politicians can do nothing,” he added.
Mr Braimah emphasised that traditional authorities wield significant influence over the various mining lands and communities, and their commitment to responsible mining practices could be the turning point in addressing the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.