Mr. Abednego Orstin Rawlings, President of the United States Africa Command, Ghana (AFRICOM), has put forward a strategic solution to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in Ghana.
Rawlings, who has been vocal in addressing the illegal mining practices that flourished during the previous administration, is calling for a more effective and sustainable approach to tackling the issue.
His proposal suggests that excavators seized from illegal miners should be used to cover the mining pits, rather than being destroyed or burned.
He explained that since galamsey operators often purchase excavators with substantial amounts of money, the equipment should be repurposed for rehabilitation.
“The excavators used by the illegal miners should be used to fill in the pits they created,” Rawlings stated. “Not all soil contains valuable ores; thus, covering the pits with the same soil will make it impossible for the miners to return to excavate the gold again.”
Rawlings believes this approach could significantly reduce the incentives for galamsey operators to return to the sites. By covering the pits with the soil and allowing the areas to be repurposed for planting edible trees, the government could not only restore the land but also help prevent future illegal mining activity.
“The idea is simple,” Rawlings continued. “If the pits that illegal miners have spent weeks digging are covered quickly and effectively, there will be little motivation for them to return.”
He also emphasized the benefits of using the rehabilitated land for agricultural purposes, which would directly benefit the local communities.
The AFRICOM President further highlighted that the strategy could be nearly 85% effective in the fight against illegal mining if the state follows this plan.
He recommended that helicopters be used to patrol water bodies and virgin forests, with security personnel deployed to forest zones to prevent further illegal mining activities.
Additionally, Rawlings suggested that prison inmates be involved in planting edible trees in the covered pits, creating a productive use of the land while deterring illegal mining.
He also urged the government to refrain from burning excavators, arguing that such measures are not solving the root problem and merely waste valuable resources.
Addressing the issue of disabled excavators, Rawlings pointed out that if illegal miners tamper with the machines, it would be relatively easy for the government to retrieve the parts and restore the excavators for legitimate use.
With his proposed solution, Rawlings hopes to restore Ghana’s water bodies and forests, which have been severely damaged by galamsey activities.
He stressed that this approach would benefit Ghanaians by ensuring access to clean water and a safer, more sustainable environment for future generations.
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