Illegal small scale mining popularly known as galamsey escalated during the tenure of John Dramani Mahama, a Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ernest Owusu-Bempah has said.
He expressed the view that it was during the period of the Mahama administration that chanfan were brought into the country for galamsey.
Mr Mahama, he said, owes Ghanaians an apology over the escalation of galamsey.
Speaking to jounlaists in Accra, Mr Owusu-Bempah said that “During Rawlings tenure, there was no institutionalized galamsey, Under Kufuor there was no galamsey, Under Atta Mills we heard a little bit of it and heaven said he said he wouldn’t condone it. Immediately Atta Mills left the scene between 2013 to 2016 galamsey escalated.
“Everybody should go into the archives and check this record, the Chinese galamsey queen Aisha Huang came during Mahama time, they should swear by Antoa if they didn’t bring Shamfan, I am daring them that they brought Shamfam and institutionalized galamsey, if they dare they should swear by Antoa.”
His comments follow the call made to President Akufo-Addo by the president of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Albert Dwomfuo to bring an end to the galamsey menace during the GJA Arwdas event on Sunday September 29.
He said “So the GJA president, if he has anything to say he should to tell Mahama to apologize to Ghanaians for institutionalising Galamsey. If you are calling out Akufo-Addo, he should tell Mahama to apologies to Ghanaians because it is under his watch that we saw the recklessness and destruction of the water bodies.”
Under John Mahama’s presidency (2012-2017), Chinese involvement in galamsey activities in Ghana became a significant concern. Here’s a summary:
Chinese Involvement:
1. Increased presence: Chinese nationals entered Ghana, investing in small-scale mining.
2. Partnerships: Collaborated with local Ghanaian miners, providing equipment and expertise.
3. Financing: Chinese investors provided financial support to galamsey operators.
Controversies and Criticisms:
2013 to 2016.EPA report Illegal mining: Chinese nationals were accused of engaging in illegal mining environmental degradation
2. 2014: Ghana Immigration Service deported 4,592 Chinese nationals for illegal mining.
3. 2016: Mahama’s administration banned artisanal mining in forest reserves.
Statistics:
1. Estimated 10,000-20,000 Chinese nationals involved in galamsey (Source: 2016 Ghana Immigration Service).
2. 70% of galamsey operations in Ghana were Chinese-owned (Source: 2015 Ghana Chamber of Mines).
Consequences:
1. Environmental damage: Water pollution, deforestation, and land degradation.
2. Economic impacts: Loss of revenue, infrastructure damage, and economic instability.
3. Social tensions: Conflicts between local communities and Chinese miners.
Notable Cases:
1. Aisha Huang (aka “Galamsey Queen”): A Chinese national arrested in 2017 for alleged involvement in galamsey.
2. 2015: Ghanaian authorities seized 100 excavators and 50 other equipment *
