Mahama’s comments on galamsey fight does not keep faith with the NDC’s electoral pledge—Steve Manteaw
Policy Analyst, Dr Steve Manteaw has expressed concerns over the president’s comments on the fight against illegal mining during his recent encounter with the media.
According to him, the president’s comments do not keep faith with the National Democratic Congress’ electoral pledge.
He adds further that the president “focuses more on the benefit side of the equation, than the cost side i.e. how much it cost the country in environmental damage, food security, health implication, water scarcity, and remediation, to generate the $6 billion being reported as returns on our small-scale gold exports”.
To him, “Ghana risks international sanctions, if we don’t take decisive action against the galamsey menace” adding that the comment of the president “heightens the risk of money laundering and the financing of Serious Organised Crime (SOC)”.
He is of the view that the president should have rather emphasized what GoldBod is doing rather than appear to be giving up on the country’s fight against galamsey.”
“But, I’m also aware that, the GoldBod is committed, and that commitment is reinforced by its statute of establishment, to disrupt market opportunities for galamsey gold through the establishment of a gold traceability system / block chain technological intervention that tracks gold from the pit to the refinery. This was a major topic for discussion at the just ended Minerals and Mining Convention.Perhaps, the president should have emphasized this, rather than appear to be giving up on the country’s fight against galamsey.”
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My take on JDM ‘s comments on galamsey:
1. It focuses more on the benefit side of the equation, than the cost side i.e. how much it cost the country in environmental damage, food security, health implication, water scarcity, and remediation, to generate the $6 billion being reported as returns on our small-scale gold exports.
2. lt does not keep faith with the NDC’s electoral pledge.
3. It’s at variance with the OECD guidelines on responsible mineral sourcing and therefore rules Ghana out of mainstream gold markets.
4. It heightens the risk of money laundering and the financing of Serious Organised Crime (SOC).
5. Ghana risks international sanctions, if we don’t take decisive action against the galamsey menace.
But, I’m also aware that, the GoldBod is committed, and that commitment is reinforced by its statute of establishment, to disrupt market opportunities for galamsey gold through the establishment of a gold traceability system / block chain technological intervention that tracks gold from the pit to the refinery. This was a major topic for discussion at the just ended Minerals and Mining Convention.Perhaps, the president should have emphasized this, rather than appear to be giving up on the country’s fight against galamsey.
I’ve always maintained that brute force alone will not deliver the outcome we seek. The approach ought to be multi-faceted.
SHALOM, peace to you all.
