Galamsey now a transnational organized crime – UG law lecturer

Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, an associate professor at the University of Ghana’s Faculty of Law, describes illegal mining in Ghana as a transnational organised crime.

He says the involvement of state actors in the galam trade is astonishing.

Indicates that “organized crime syndicates have become politically oriented and politicians criminally oriented, creating a hybrid form of governance. Decision-making is shared and blurred between the two, leading to state capture and the complete sidelining of citizens.”

His comments come amid anger expressed by Ghanaians over the state of water bodies across the country.

According to him, the government in power cannot only fight galamsey but also the citizens of the country and other stakeholders.

“We cannot rely on a government in power to eradicate galamsey. It is up to the citizens, serious civil society organizations, organized labor, students and the youth to organize various targeted actions and interventions with the support of a reformed police, army and other security services and a bold judiciary to deliver a deadly blow to galamsey.”

Yes, it is transnational organized crime. Just as Guinea-Bissau became a narco-state, Ghana is now a galam state. The involvement of state-linked actors in the galam trade is staggering. The organized crime syndicates have become politically oriented and the politicians have become criminally oriented, creating a hybrid form of governance. Decision-making is shared and blurred between the two, leading to state capture and the complete sidelining of the citizens.

I estimate that a change of government will not help to fight the cancer. Akufo-Addo inherited galamsey from the previous regime and he caved to its dictates and demands. He staked his presidency on eradicating the practice or surrendering power. He failed miserably and he remains in power. If the NDC wins power, it will take over from where it left off and adopt the new tactics introduced by the NPP to broaden and deepen the practice of galamsey.

We cannot rely on a government in power to eradicate galamsey. It is up to the citizens, serious civil society organizations, organized labor, students and the youth to organize various targeted actions and interventions with the support of a reformed police, army and other security services and a bold judiciary to deliver a deadly blow to galamsey.