Wa West: Minerals Commission urges responsible Mining amid crackdown on illegal activities

Mr. Thomas B. Gibentey, the Community Relations Officer at the Minerals Commission’s Wa Office, has emphasized the need for responsible mining as a sustainable livelihood alternative, while warning against the environmental and social dangers of illegal mining.

Speaking during a community sensitization programme held in Kolongu in the Wa West District, Mr. Gibentey described mining as a “lucrative venture” when conducted responsibly and in line with national regulations.

The event was part of the "Building Resilient Communities through Responsible Local Mining and Collaborative Boundary Management" initiative.

The project is spearheaded by the Ghana Boundary Commission and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through GIZ. It is currently being implemented in selected border communities within the Savannah and Upper West Regions.

The initiative builds on the gains from the first phase of the 2024 project titled "Mitigation of Destabilizing Effects of Transnational Organised Crime". It seeks to promote best practices in local mining, tackle the rise of transnational organised crime, and improve border security and community collaboration.

Addressing the community, Mr. Gibentey expressed concern about the growing incidence of illegal mining and its negative impact on the Minerals Commission’s public image.

“Unfortunately, what we have observed over the years—and I think many of us here can attest to that—is that the Commission has not been in the media for the good reasons because of mining, particularly illegal mining,” he said. “Some of us here are not exempted from that practice.”

He cautioned that illegal mining poses a severe risk to the environment and public health, and acknowledged that while some have called for a complete ban on small-scale mining, such a move could be economically damaging.

“A total ban will not only affect livelihoods but also have a significant impact on the economy,” he noted.

“What we need to do is to go by the rules. There are procedures in place, and if we follow them, we will mine responsibly. Everyone will benefit, and there will be no issues.”

Mr. Yango K. Crispin, the Wa West District Coordinating Director, also urged community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to their local authorities, including assembly members or unit committees.

Providing insight into the broader goals of the project, Mr. John Tsotorvor, Director of Research at the Ghana Boundary Commission, reiterated the need for community collaboration.

“We are partnering with GIZ, the German International Corporation, under a project called Mitigating the Destabilizing Effects of Transnational Organized Crime,” he said.

“And one of the key things that we realized is the issue of mining in our area. So today, we are here with the Minerals Commission to educate us on how to mine the correct way.”

He thanked the residents for attending the event in large numbers and for prioritizing the education over their daily farming activities.

The sensitization programme is part of a larger effort to raise awareness on the legal and environmental standards required in mining, and to strengthen community resilience and cross-border collaboration in the fight against organized crime.