AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY (JUNE 30, 2010)

MINING, as an economic activity, has impacted both positively and negatively on the development of the country.
In situations where mining activities are regulated, they have helped the local economy, as well as boosted the national exchequer. But the unregulated operations of illegal miners, otherwise called galamsey operators, have undermined the eco-system.
Some commentators hold the view that the government should outlaw mining operations in totality because our society has not benefited from the exploitation of our mineral resources.
This school of thought has always cited the degrading spectacle of most mining communities to buttress their argument. Any casual visitor to mining communities, such as Obuasi, Tarkwa, Prestea and Akwatia, will notice the harm that mining operations have done to the environment in those towns.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are engaged in an unending debate over the merits and demerits of mining.
The government and the mining companies which are worried over galamsey operations have tried to find an antidote to the problem. The government has tried to legalise the operations of galamsey by registering its operators and allocating concessions to them so that the regulatory authorities can monitor their operations.
Mining companies, which do not seem to be in agreement with the government, have rather proposed alternative livelihood for the galamsey operators.
Successes have been recorded in certain areas, but in most of the instances the galamsey operators have refused to abandon their traditional but dangerous jobs.
Every now and then, there are reports of miners getting trapped underground but these fatalities do not deter the galamsey operators. For whatever reason, the youth in mining communities prefer galamsey operations to other income-generating activities, even if their operations cause havoc to the vegetation and their heritage.
The latest report that an unspecified number of people from a group of about 124 are believed to be trapped underground at Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region following a galamsey expedition that turned tragic last Sunday should prick the conscience of the nation to act decisively to end these avoidable deaths.
The death toll in the tragic galamsey expedition is yet to be determined, but even if it is only one person who died, the State should be worried and take steps to stop these dangerous economic activities.
The Daily Graphic knows that the issue of galamsey is not a simple matter. Perhaps some of the people reluctantly go into it because of economic challenges, as well as the unemployment situation.
Nonetheless, the feeling of want and hopelessness should not force the youth into this dangerous economic activity through which many precious lives have been lost.
There are other economic activities in the mining communities, such as farming, although the returns may not be as quick and lucrative as galamsey operations. However, those in agriculture are more secure than those who are into galamsey operations.
The Daily Graphic calls on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to put in the necessary interventions to prevent last Sunday’s tragedy from recurring. The regulatory authorities should also put in the necessary policies and regulations to make galamsey operations less hazardous.
The Daily Graphic extends its condolences to the bereaved families. It is our prayer that the Good Lord will strengthen them to endure the pain caused by their bereavement.