I’ll be sad if Mahama fails galamsey fight – Rev. Charles Owusu

Rev. Charles Owusu, a former Forestry Commission official, is worried about illegal mining. He believes President John Mahama must act decisively to combat this issue. If he fails, it will be disappointing given his experience in office.

On Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on April 29, Rev. Owusu called illegal mining, or galamsey, a crisis. He stressed that it requires immediate and non-partisan action.

He urged the President to deploy the Ghana Armed Forces to forest reserves nationwide. "If all forest zones are declared military zones, the noise will stop," he said.

Rev. Owusu warned that political protection allows illegal miners to thrive. He noted that harsh measures may not be enforced because offenders often support political parties.

He dismissed calls to repeal Legislative Instrument (LI 2462) regulating small-scale mining in forests. He argued that enforcement is the real challenge, not new laws.

"Lawless individuals don’t care about new laws," he stated. The President should use executive power and direct the military to secure forest reserves.

He proposed creating a dedicated Forest Protection Unit within the Ghana Armed Forces. This unit would deter illegal miners and protect Ghana's green spaces.

Rev. Owusu lamented environmental destruction caused by mining activities. "Our water bodies are polluted and forests are vanishing," he said.

He criticized political hypocrisy regarding galamsey solutions from both major parties. When in opposition, the NDC demanded quick action from President Akufo-Addo but now faces worsening conditions in power.

He suggested restricting small-scale mining to Ghanaians only and reviewing foreign involvement in the sector. "We need responsible mining practices," he emphasized.

Citing successful military operations securing northern borders, Rev. Owusu insisted similar efforts could end galamsey if there was political will.

"If we can mobilize security forces quickly for national threats, why not for galamsey?" he asked.

In a passionate plea to President Mahama, he urged swift action: "You have four years—use your power." He called for collaboration with key officials to declare forests military zones and establish a Forest Protection Unit.

"If we do this," he concluded, "we won’t be discussing galamsey anymore."