ICEG to petition IMF, World Bank offices over galamsey

The Institute of Climate and Environmental Governance (ICEG) has announced its plans to petition the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offices in Ghana.

The petition aims to urge these international financial institutions to pressure the Ghanaian government into taking more decisive action against illegal mining, locally referred to as “galamsey.”

ICEG believes that stronger external influence may compel the government to intensify efforts in curbing the environmental destruction caused by galamsey, which continues to threaten the country’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands.

“Failure of which these Financial Institutions should impose financial sanction through the suspension of funds earmarked for release to Ghana,” ICEG added in a statement issued on Tuesday.

It further stressed ICEG’s plans to sensitisation campaigns in affected communities during the first week of November.

ICEG expressed grave concerns over the severe impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies, highlighting the alarming pollution levels in major rivers such as the Pra, Daboase, and Ankobra, which have been transformed into toxic streams due to rampant illegal mining activities.

It proposed a multi-faceted strategy to combat the detrimental effects of galamsey including adopting a forward-looking, non-partisan approach to tackle the issue, encouraging community participation through awareness campaigns and local monitoring projects, and strengthening regulatory frameworks by enforcing existing regulations and expediting the licensing process for small-scale miners.

Furthermore, ICEG advocated for economic diversification programmes to provide alternative livelihoods for those dependent on galamsey, supported by funding to facilitate their transition to legal businesses.

The organization also emphasised the need for enhanced environmental stewardship through collaboration with NGOs and the corporate sector, coupled with strong political will and anti-corruption measures to ensure accountability.