HSRC-Ghana commends Mahama’s anti-galamsey dialogue

…But warns against heavy-handed tactics

The Human Security Research Centre, Ghana (HSRC-Ghana), has applauded President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to initiate a high-level dialogue with civil society organisations (CSOs) on the urgent issue of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

While urging decisive measures, HSRC-Ghana, however, warned the President against declaring a State of Emergency in communities affected by galamsey, stating that such a step could have unintended consequences for vulnerable citizens, including displacement and disruption of farming activities, thereby worsening human insecurity.

The meeting, scheduled for today, Friday, October 3, 2025, at Jubilee House, according to HSRC-Ghana, offers a crucial opportunity for honest and constructive discussions that can lead to practical and enduring solutions to this national crisis.

Illegal mining is not only an environmental and economic threat but also a significant human security challenge. It undermines livelihoods, contaminates water sources, fuels conflicts, disrupts farming communities, and weakens the resilience of vulnerable populations, said HSRC-Ghana in a statement.

It emphasised that “any sustainable solution must go beyond law enforcement and resource management to incorporate human security safeguards that protect lives, livelihoods, and the dignity of affected citizens.”

Although HSRC-Ghana has not been formally invited to participate in the dialogue, it states that, as a research institution with extensive experience in studying and advising on the human security dimensions of illegal mining, it finds “it imperative to lend our voice in support of this important initiative and to offer strategic recommendations to strengthen the outcomes of the meeting”.

“We commend the President for creating space for dialogue and urge all stakeholders to prioritise the long-term security and well-being of Ghanaian citizens as the ultimate goal in their deliberations”.

“Illegal mining is not only an environmental and economic threat but also a profound human security challenge. It undermines livelihoods, contaminates water sources, fuels conflict, disrupts farming communities, and erodes the resilience of vulnerable populations. Therefore, any sustainable solution must go beyond law enforcement and resource management to integrate human security safeguards that protect lives, livelihoods, and the dignity of affected citizens”.

HSRC-Ghana recommends that the discussions at Jubilee House concentrate on the following strategic areas: Designation of Security Zones. The President should declare important areas, such as forest reserves and riverine landscapes where galamsey activities are common, as protected security zones. This will preserve vital ecosystems and water bodies, while also sending a clear national message that certain areas remain prohibited for destructive mining.

Avoidance of State of Emergency: While decisive measures are needed, HSRC-Ghana cautions against declaring a state of emergency in galamsey-affected communities. Such a step could have unintended consequences for vulnerable citizens, including displacement and disruption of farming activities, thereby worsening human insecurity.

Community-Centred Solutions:HSRC-Ghana believes that effective interventions must empower local communities by promoting alternative livelihoods, strengthening youth employment programs, and ensuring community ownership of environmental protection initiatives.

Institutional Collaboration:Stronger partnerships between government, civil society, traditional authorities, and the private sector are required to design and implement policies that balance environmental sustainability with socio-economic development.

Sustainable Enforcement:Law enforcement strategies must be intelligence-led, transparent, and anchored on the principles of respect for human rights in order to avoid exacerbating tensions or victimising innocent community residents.

HSRC-Ghana firmly believes that this presidential initiative, if grounded in human security principles and collective action, can finally break the cycle of reactionary approaches that have failed in the past and establish a sustainable national framework to address the galamsey menace. 

The post HSRC-Ghana commends Mahama’s anti-galamsey dialogue appeared first on The Herald ghana.

Read More

  • Related Posts

    How Sh4.15trn projects will end water supply problems

    The Kidunda Dam in Morogoro will serve 6.77m people by storing 190bn litres, reinforcing supply to DarRead More

    Roads, schools feats anchor Mwinyi’s bid for re-election

    Mwinyi’s leadership has been marked by stability, with few problems arising under his stewardship aside from incidents not directly attributable to himRead More

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Business & Economy

    Nigeria Customs, NCC partner to tighten monitoring of imported communication devices 

    Naira is gaining strength in 2025: Here is why 

    Why the Nigerian stock market could gain over 11% in Q4 2025 – Cordros 

    Flutterwave CEO bets on Stablecoins as Africa’s next financial leap 

    Naira strengthens to N1,455/$ in 2025, signals market stability

    How Dangote offered to pay sacked workers 5 years salaries without work – Sources

    How Dangote offered to pay sacked workers 5 years salaries without work – Sources

    Credit to private sector drops to N75.8 trillion in August 2025 

    PenCom N20 billion recapitalisation may discourage PFAs, PFCs growth – Renaissance Capital

    First LNG-powered Containership, MV Sapphire, Berths at APM Terminals

    Stakeholders: How Dry Lease Will Save Domestic Airlines N26.6bn Annually

    Dantsoho: Abuja’s Centrality,  Agro-allied Potentials Strategic to Boosting Non-oil Revenue

    Buy nterests in GTCO, Others Lift  Stock Market by N1171bn

    How Stanbic IBTC is Harnessing the Transformative Potential of Technology-driven Environmental Solutions

    Revamping Maiduguri’s Airport for International Operations

    Ground Handling Companies Hamstrung with Over Bloated Workforce

    Africa Posts Strongest Growth as Global Air Cargo Demand Climbs

    Finchglow Partners Other Agents to Tackle Challenges, Boost Travel Demand 

    NIIRA 2025: Omosehin Highlights Major Changes to Insurance Sector

    Cornerstone Insurance powers N25 billion trade as NGX starts October green 

    SEC DG urges West Africa to fast-track Capital Market Integration

    NAFDAC destroys fake and expired drugs worth N15 billion in Ibadan 

    Impact Investors Foundation unveils $8 billion inclusive capital roadmap for Nigeria 

    PenCom DG reveals monthly pension payments hit N14.837 billion in June 2025 

    Falcon Aero secures $10 million facility for VivaJets to retire debt, expand fleet  

    BREAKING: CBN to take full control of Fixed Income Market from November 2025 

    Nigeria’s money supply expands as government borrowing declines 25.74% YoY 

    Nigeria’s oil output drops by 16% during PENGASSAN’s strike – NNPCL 

    Nigeria’s box office sales drop to N900 million, second lowest of 2025 

    Lagos govt removes illegal structures obstructing Jebba/Kano collector in Ebute Metta 

    PZ Cussons post profit before tax of N21.541 billion in Q1 2025/26, beating last full year’s profit

    Nigeria’s top 10 best-performing stocks on the NGX in September

    Zenith Bank appoints Abdulazeez Kanya as independent director

    Zenith Bank appoints Abdulazeez Kanya as independent director

    Beyond P2P: Why Africa needs automated Crypto swaps  

    Stanbic IBTC announces new Group CEO, Chukwuma Nwokocha 

    Stanbic IBTC appoints Group Chief Executive

    Stanbic IBTC appoints Group Chief Executive

    Nigeria’s money supply rises to N119.52 trillion in August 2025