Awula Serwah questions military effectiveness against illegal mining

Awula Serwah, Executive Director of Eco-Conscious Citizens, has challenged the Ghana Armed Forces to explain why illegal mining, known as galamsey, continues to flourish despite the military's strength.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Serwah argued that the persistence of illegal mining is not due to a lack of capacity, but rather a failure of political and institutional will. She stated that the identities of those involved in these operations are well known to traditional leaders, political authorities, and police commanders.

Serwah emphasized that when local chiefs, political leaders, and police commanders unite, it becomes unlikely that illegal mining can continue unchecked. She called for decisive action rather than repeated discussions, insisting that authorities must demonstrate the will to halt the environmental destruction caused by the practice.