Eco-Africa Network has hosted the second edition of its Climate Justice Conference, with stakeholders highlighting the need to tackle both the environmental and economic drivers of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The conference, themed “Galamsey and the Environment,” brought together actors within the climate, sustainability and policy space to examine the impact of illegal mining and propose practical solutions to address the challenge.
Delivering opening remarks, the co-founder of Eco-Africa Network, Caleb Adane Frimpong, said the issue has become increasingly urgent, noting that galamsey continues to affect livelihoods, water bodies and communities across the country.
Discussions at the conference focused on the impact of galamsey on agriculture, water and food systems, as well as the role of civil society organisations, the private sector and youth leadership in addressing the menace.
Senior Policy Analyst at the Africa Center for Economic Transformation, George Boateng, stressed that any lasting solution must consider the economic realities driving illegal mining.
“For many young people, it provides immediate income due to limited job opportunities. If we fail to address that economic desperation, the problem will persist,” he said.
Founder of CESMMA, Dr Khartey Sowah, also called for renewed urgency, emphasising that efforts to combat galamsey must be strengthened at the grassroots level.
Eco-Africa Network says outcomes from the conference will be compiled into a policy document to be presented to government to support efforts at addressing illegal mining sustainably.
Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: atlanticafricanews.com/, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
