The President of the Gyam Institute of Technology and Industrialization, Engr Surv Dr Ebenezer Ankomah Gyamera, has called on government to take a more institutional and sustainable approach to the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He is advocating the establishment of a permanent and well-resourced national office mandated to coordinate, monitor and sustain anti galamsey initiatives across the country.
Addressing guests and graduands at the institute’s third graduation ceremony, Dr Gyamera stressed that illegal mining remains one of the most damaging threats to the nation’s environment, natural resources and long term development prospects. He explained that although the challenge cannot be resolved immediately, adopting a structured project based approach anchored on clear planning, implementation and evaluation frameworks would create a more accountable and results driven system for addressing the menace.
Dr Gyamera underscored the importance of viewing the fight against galamsey as a critical national duty. According to him, land represents a heritage that links the past, the present and future generations, and any destruction of this asset undermines the very foundation of the nation’s identity. He therefore urged government to make greater use of the technical expertise of project managers and land surveyors, noting that their specialised knowledge remains essential for mapping, monitoring and enforcing responsible land use.
In an interview on the sidelines of the event, the Registrar of the University of Cape Coast College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Mr Ebenezer Aggrey, highlighted the need for decisive action in confronting the increasing scale of destruction caused by illegal mining. He noted that the country would have made considerable progress if a state of emergency had been declared on galamsey even for a limited period. While acknowledging the ongoing efforts by the President and his team, he expressed deep concern over the continued degradation of water bodies and called for more urgent and targeted interventions from those advising national strategy on the issue.
The graduation ceremony, which also served as a conference, focused on the theme The Fight Against Galamsey, The Role of Project Managers and Land Surveyors. A total of 35 students graduated at the event, which brought together academics, traditional leaders and policymakers to examine the contributions of technical professionals in the national effort to curb illegal mining and promote responsible environmental stewardship.
