The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has sharply criticised the government’s decision not to sanction Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) implicated in the collection of levies from illegal mining operators, describing the move as wholly unacceptable.
Her comments follow the government’s position that the levy collections were a consequence of flawed institutional arrangements rather than individual misconduct, with the affected officials slated for retraining instead of facing sanctions.
Addressing the decision communicated by Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Ms Serwah expressed incredulity at claims suggesting that the implicated officials were unaware of the implications of their actions.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, March 31, in the wake of President John Mahama’s response to JoyNews’ exposé, “Tax for Galamsey”, which revealed how certain district assemblies were collecting fees from operators of changfang machines and other equipment linked to illegal mining, she remarked:
“I am astonished. Are we seriously suggesting that the MCEs we appoint were unaware that their actions constituted complicity in, and encouragement of, illegal mining?”
She emphasised that ignorance cannot serve as a justification, asserting that the officials’ conduct directly facilitated the proliferation of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Highlighting the urgency of the environmental crisis confronting the nation, Ms Serwah stated, “The positions of the implicated MMDCEs have become untenable. We face an existential threat. The clock is ticking. Such excuses are simply unacceptable.”
She criticised the government’s approach as indicative of a lack of seriousness in combating illegal mining. “Joy journalists risked their safety to expose this malpractice. And yet, the response is to ‘train them’ because they didn’t know? If corrective action is needed, then it must be decisive,” she added.
Ms Serwah also noted that the use of changfang machines has been officially banned due to their destructive impact on water bodies, making any engagement with operators deeply troubling.
Her intervention amplifies mounting public calls for accountability and decisive action against officials found complicit in illegal mining, reinforcing demands for stronger enforcement measures to safeguard Ghana’s environment.