The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called for illegal mining (galamsey) to be treated as a severe criminal offence due to its devastating impact on the environment, public health, and national development.

In a statement, the NCCE urged the Ghana Police, the Armed Forces and other security agencies, to intensify efforts to combat galamsey by arresting and prosecuting offenders.

The Commission also commended the actions of local communities and traditional leaders, encouraging nationwide efforts to preserve the environment.

The NCCE stressed the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, political parties, and local communities to tackle galamsey head-on, further calling out political parties to clearly outline their strategies to combat the illegal practise.

The NCCE condemned any double standards shown in addressing this national issue.

Pointing out the responsibility enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, the NCCE urged all Ghanaians to actively protect the environment and acknowledged its own role through tree-planting initiatives and environmental education programmes aimed at creating awareness of the importance of conservation.

The NCCE also praised the chiefs and youth of Akyem Asoum, as well as Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for their efforts in combatting illegal mining activities in their domains, encouraging similar actions across the country.

The NCCE reaffirmed its commitment to working with state agencies and civil society to promote sustainable environmental practices, stressing that the fight against galamsey requires urgent, collective action to secure a sustainable future for all Ghanaians.

Read also: Galamsey: Organised labour threatens strike if gov't doesn't act by end of September

Below is the full statement by the NCCE

THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CIVIC EDUCATION (NCCE) ON ILLEGAL MINING (GALAMSEY) AND THE NEED FOR ROBUST ACTION

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is deeply concerned about the continued degradation of our environment through illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Illegal mining is a direct existential threat to our environment, public health, and the prosperity of our country. It is not just an environmental issue but a serious criminal activity that undermines national efforts toward sustainable development and environmental governance.

The NCCE unequivocally condemns galamsey and calls on all relevant security services, including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and other law enforcement agencies, to take immediate and decisive action against perpetrators. The security services must treat illegal mining as a serious offence that warrants urgent and robust intervention to halt its devastating effects. On the back of the above, we call on the security services to:

1. Intensify patrols and surveillance in galamsey-prone areas
2. Arrest and prosecute perpetrators
3. Collaborate with local communities to identify and report illegal mining activities

The NCCE calls on the two political parties that have governed this county over the course of the fourth republic to demonstrate a clear commitment to the fight against galamsey. They must articulate and spell out without equivocation how they will address the menace. It is highly
disingenuous to say in one breath they are against galamsey and in another breath encourage perpetrator to go ahead with it.

We the people of Ghana are enjoined by the 1992 Constitution, article 41 (K) to protect and safeguard the environment as our civic responsibility. As a commission, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental sustainability and civic responsibility. We have been actively engaging in tree-planting exercises, environmental education, and community outreach programs to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. We, therefore, see galamsey as a big rollback to efforts at preserving the environment.

The NCCE, therefore, commends the actions of the Chiefs and youth of Akyem Asoum in the Eastern Region for chasing out people engaged in galamsey from their community, and we urge other communities to do the same. Every Ghanaian has a role to play in protecting our environment, and the law must deal swiftly and severely with those who willfully destroy our natural heritage for selfish gains. We also, commend the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II actions that resulted in the destoolment of chiefs involved in galamsey, the NCCE calls on the security services, including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and other law enforcement agencies, to take a cue from the Asantehene.

The NCCE remains committed to working closely with state agencies, civil society organizations, and local communities to promote good environmental governance and ensure that every Ghanaian understands the importance of sustainable practices.

Conclusion

Let us all remember that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. Each of us must play a role in order for us to win this fight against galamsey. We must act now, decisively, and with a sense of urgency to preserve our natural resources and to secure a sustainable future for all Ghanaians.

May God Bless our Homeland Ghana and Make our Nation Great and Strong.