Coordinator of Eco Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah has sounded the alarm over the dangers posed by illegal mining, describing the situation in Ghana as an “existential threat” and a form of “environmental terrorism.”
Speaking on the KeyPoints on November 22, Serwah said the government must demonstrate real political will to combat illegal mining, particularly by adequately resourcing those on the frontlines of the fight.
“We are being poisoned. There is environmental terrorism going on. We need to see the political will to deal with it, and part of that is properly resourcing those who are fighting against it,” she said.
Serwah criticised instances where community activists and elders protecting forest reserves face intimidation or criminal charges, even as illegal mining continues. She specifically highlighted Atronsu, where environmental defenders are reportedly under threat.
“It is a travesty that the community activist who is fighting to protect the environment is the one facing criminal charges, while those who threaten our forests face no consequences,” she said.
She called for greater accountability from local authorities, including chiefs, police, and other political leaders, urging the introduction of key performance indicators to track their efforts in tackling illegal mining.
“If illegal mining is ongoing, we need to find out what political authorities are doing, what chiefs are doing, and what the police are doing. If they are unable to act, then perhaps others must step in,” she said.
Serwah also praised communities that have resisted illegal mining through visionary leadership and cooperative efforts.
She cited examples where local leaders have encouraged cooperative farming rather than destructive mining, even at personal risk.
“Thanks to visionary chiefs and committed community members, some areas have meaningful protection against mining. They have put their lives on the line, and the communities have said they do not want poison; they want to focus on sustainable farming,” she noted.
Awula Serwah stressed that without strong political support and community collaboration, efforts to end illegal mining and environmental degradation will remain ineffective.
