Many people wonder whether mining has benefited the people in mining areas in particular and the country in general.
Some of our compatriots who are appalled by the degradation caused by mining in general have, out of frustration, suggested to the authorities to completely outlaw mining.
This group of people think the country’s vegetation and environment will be better protected if the mineral resources are left in the belly of the earth.
The devastation seen in all mining towns in the country re-reinforces the argument against the exploitation of our natural resources, especially our minerals.
Advocates of mining, such as the mining companies and the Ghana Chamber of Mines, have always pointed to the dividends and taxes paid to the government, as well as the royalties paid to the district assemblies and the traditional authorities, as the positive contribution of mining to national development.
It has been argued that if the mining towns in the country are the standard bearers, then we can do without mining that has degraded our environment, damaged our water bodies and reduced opportunities for agricultural activities.
The situation has been aggravated by the activities of illegal mining operators who have destroyed water bodies and the environment.
These deviants, who want to earn a living at all cost, nearly destroyed the environment recently when they were joined by their foreign collaborators to destroy the country’s water bodies.
Happily, the government sensed the danger very early and deployed task forces throughout the mining communities to bring the situation under control.
Typical of the Ghanaian, a section of the populace raised concerns about the high-handedness of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force Against Illegal Mining set up by President John Mahama and, as usual, the task force decided to apply the proverbial human face to its work.
Subsequently, it had to suspend its work, amid protests from some communities and the big mining companies.
The good news is that the President has hinted that the task force will move into the second phase of its operations soon.
We hope illegal mining operators will embrace the plans by the government to provide them with alternative livelihoods.
However, the Daily Graphic will support every effort by the government and other stakeholders to weed out all galamsey operators to protect our environment and our water bodies.
The craze for livelihoods should not drive us into endeavours that will threaten our very survival on earth.
If we do not ‘kill’ galamsey operations, they will endanger our lives on Mother Earth.
