Small-Scale Miners Urge Government to End Galamsey Machine Burning, Focus on Education and Responsible Mining

Small-Scale Miners Urge Government to End Galamsey Machine Burning, Focus on Education and Responsible MiningNapoleon Tando, Public Relations Officer Small-Scale Miners has called on government to change its approach to the fight against illegal mining, urging authorities to stop burning excavators and arresting young miners, and instead focus on education, reclamation, and responsible mining practices.
Speaking in an interview, he argued that the current methods — which include the destruction of mining equipment and mass arrests — have only deepened hardship and anger among the youth without solving the problem.
Napoleon Tando suggested that government should rather sensitize and train small-scale miners on sustainable mining techniques and reclamation of degraded lands.
“Government must stop the burning and arresting of the youth. Educate and guide them to mine responsibly so that you can also benefit from the gold they produce,” one community Napoleon Tando stated.
He also proposed that the state set up water reservoir tanks and invest in pumping underground water to reduce the environmental damage caused by the pollution of rivers and surface water through illegal mining activities.
He further recommended that reclamation efforts should be led by government, especially in areas where NAIMOS operations have already halted mining.
“If government burns the machines, then it must take responsibility for reclaiming the land. But if you educate the miners to do reclamation themselves, they will comply,” he said.
The call reflects growing discontent among local communities affected by anti-galamsey operations, with many arguing that the destruction of equipment pushes the youth further into poverty and does little to restore the environment.
NAIMOS officials, on their part, have emphasized that their mandate is to enforce the law and protect the environment, but have also indicated readiness to work with communities to promote responsible mining and sustainable livelihood initiatives.
The discussion forms part of a broader national debate on how best to balance environmental protection with economic opportunity in Ghana’s small-scale mining sector.